Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape of the food delivery industry in China, highlighting the strategies employed by delivery riders to maximize their earnings during promotional events [1][3][16] - It emphasizes the rise of instant retail as a new battleground among major platforms like Meituan, JD.com, and Alibaba, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards convenience and rapid delivery [16][18] Group 1: Delivery Rider Strategies - Delivery riders are engaging in tactics such as placing orders themselves and then fulfilling them to earn rewards, particularly during promotional activities [3][9] - The "multi-order" strategy, where riders pick up multiple orders at once, is becoming increasingly popular due to higher delivery fees compared to the cost of the items [4][6] - Riders are leveraging promotional events that offer significant rewards for completing a high volume of deliveries, with some incentives reaching up to 720 yuan for completing 288 orders [9][13] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The entry of JD.com into the food delivery market has intensified competition, leading to aggressive promotional strategies from all major players [6][17] - Instant retail is emerging as a critical component of the business model for these platforms, with significant investments being made to enhance delivery capabilities and expand product offerings [16][18] - The market for instant retail in China is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting it could exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2030, indicating a lucrative opportunity for companies involved [17][18] Group 3: Market Performance - Recent data shows that Meituan's flash purchase segment achieved record transaction volumes, while JD.com reported over 25 million daily orders during the 618 shopping festival [3][6] - The competition among platforms is not only about food delivery but also extends to broader e-commerce strategies, as companies seek to integrate their services into a super app model [16][18] - The instant retail market in China reached 650 billion yuan in 2023, reflecting a 28.89% year-on-year growth, outpacing traditional online retail growth [17]