Core Insights - The article discusses the unprecedented success of the "Autumn Milk" promotion initiated by Meituan, which saw Taobao Flash Sales surpass Meituan in order volume for the first time during this event [4][5][6] - The promotion period lasted from August 7 to August 10, coinciding with several marketing events, leading to a significant increase in order volume and competition in the food delivery sector [4][6][7] Summary by Sections - **Promotion Overview** - The "Autumn Milk" promotion set a new record with over 100 million orders on Taobao Flash Sales, marking a significant milestone in the food delivery industry [5][6] - The event was strategically timed with traditional seasonal promotions and aimed to test peak order volumes and enhance team capabilities [6][7] - **Market Dynamics** - The competition between Taobao Flash Sales and Meituan has intensified, with market share shifting from a long-standing 70:30 split between Meituan and Ele.me to a more competitive 50:40:10 ratio with the entry of JD.com into the food delivery space [7] - The promotional strategies included extensive marketing efforts, such as live streaming, offline advertising, and significant subsidies, leading to a longer promotional cycle of 10 days [7][9] - **Brand Performance** - Leading tea brands experienced exponential growth during the "Autumn Milk" promotion, with some reporting over 1000% year-on-year growth in GMV [11] - Brands like Yihe Tang prepared extensively for the event, resulting in a substantial increase in order volume and customer engagement [9][10] - **Operational Changes** - The promotion led to increased operational costs for brands due to extended hours and higher staffing needs, although overall profit margins decreased, total profits increased [11] - Taobao Flash Sales focused primarily on food categories during the promotion, with only 10% of subsidies allocated to non-food items, indicating a strategic focus on maximizing efficiency in food delivery [13] - **Future Strategies** - Taobao Flash Sales aims to enhance its non-food supply chain by increasing the density of convenience stores and flash warehouses, particularly in underserved markets [15][16] - The platform is also exploring innovative fulfillment strategies for various product categories, including self-pickup options for larger items to reduce shipping costs [16][19] - **Market Expansion** - The article highlights the significant growth in lower-tier markets, with brands like Yihe Tang expanding their presence and achieving impressive order growth in these regions [19] - The competitive landscape is likened to the early days of Pinduoduo challenging Taobao, with new players leveraging subsidies to capture market share and reshape supply chains [19]