Meituan

Alibaba, JD.com, and Meituan are intensifying competition in China’s hard discount retail sector. Meituan recently launched “Happy Monkey,” a self-operated supermarket, joining Alibaba’s rebranded “Super Hema Suan NB” and JD.com’s quietly launched discount supermarkets. This model focuses on offering high-quality products at significantly lower prices by streamlining product selection, negotiating directly with suppliers, and emphasizing private label brands. Unlike traditional retail, hard discount prioritizes cost control and efficient supply chains, potentially benefiting consumers with lower prices and increased value.

Meituan aims to eliminate late-delivery penalties for crowdsourced riders by the end of 2025, shifting to positive incentives. Pilot programs testing alternative management approaches in multiple cities show improved rider experience. They are finalizing a points-based system to replace deductions. Meituan is also piloting a “Safety Score” system rewarding riders for safe practices such as avoiding red lights, resulting in a 26% decrease in red-light violations and cash rewards for over 20,000 riders.

Meituan, a leading Chinese delivery platform, faces user complaints regarding missing order refunds. Users report discrepancies between order status showing refunds completed and actual funds not received, with some issues dating back years. Customer service cites potential problems with original payment accounts as a cause, advising users to provide alternative bank details. The recurring nature of these complaints suggests a potential systemic issue requiring further investigation.

A social media dispute arose in Guangdong, China, after a customer claimed a Meituan “Pin Haofan” driver disparagingly called their order “dog food.” The driver allegedly defended the remark as commonplace. However, Meituan customer service stated they could not verify the order or driver, casting doubt on the complaint. This incident occurs as Meituan invests in transparency for the value-priced “Pin Haofan” service, which boasts over a million merchants and 35 million daily orders, including a “Million Open Kitchens” initiative.

Meituan has launched “Ya Mi,” a niche restaurant review app positioned as a “boutique Dianping,” seemingly competing with its own Dazhong Dianping. Currently iOS-only and limited to Beijing, Ya Mi features a minimalist design, curated collections, and a hyperlocal “Moments” feed. Its key differentiator is the “Golden Spoon Restaurants” ranking system based on reviews from selected “Recommendation Officers,” aiming to combat fake reviews. The app prioritizes authenticity and taste over ambiance, with no immediate monetization plans, presenting a challenge to big tech business models. Its long-term viability hinges on maintaining quality content while scaling.

Viral videos of individuals in Meituan uniforms alleging food safety issues have sparked controversy. Meituan responded, stating these “misery selling” videos are often fabricated and scripted. Investigations revealed accounts posting false claims about fines and negative reviews. These accounts, with low delivery completion rates, use similar tactics to gain traffic and sell courses privately. Meituan has banned the accounts, reported them to authorities, and cautions viewers about the videos’ authenticity. They’ve assisted in investigating over 30 cases in 2024.

Leading Chinese food delivery platforms, including Meituan, Ele.me, and JD.com, have signaled a potential end to subsidy wars by publicly committing to curb unfair competition and “zero-dollar” promotions. They pledged to regulate promotional activities, respect market dynamics, guarantee reasonable profits for merchants, and focus on healthy competition driven by quality and service. The platforms aim to build a sustainable ecosystem through technological empowerment and supply chain innovation instead of relying on aggressive subsidies.

Leading Chinese on-demand delivery platforms, including Ele.me, Meituan, and Taobao Flash, have jointly announced an end to “malicious competition” after regulatory scrutiny. The companies pledge to standardize promotional activities, prevent unfair competition, and ensure fair industry practices. Key areas of focus include strategically planned subsidies, rejecting unfair competition, improving service quality, and fostering a win-win ecosystem. This shift follows a meeting with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which mandated compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

A couple in Chongqing was detained for posing as Meituan delivery drivers and running a street-level begging scam. They falsely claimed to need money for their son’s surgery. Meituan confirmed the man had briefly registered as a rider in 2019 but deactivated his account in 2023. He purchased a uniform online to exploit public sympathy. Meituan warned against impersonating riders and highlighted its support programs for legitimate riders, including financial assistance for critical illnesses.

A LatePost report reveals an intense battle between Meituan and Taobao in China’s on-demand delivery sector, focusing on “lightning warehouses.” These online-only convenience stores offer rapid delivery of essential goods. The platforms are fiercely competing for key merchants, employing tactics such as pressuring them to adjust prices or limit rival platform operations. Merchants express concerns about platform dominance and data control, navigating the pressures of this competitive landscape. The future of this rivalry and merchants’ roles remain uncertain.