This article only represents the author's own views.
As “5-minute grocery orders and 30-minute delivery” become the norm, Chinese e-commerce is no longer just about discounts and price comparisons. From a massive subsidy battle between Meituan (3690.HK) and JD.com (JD.US; 9618.HK), to Alibaba’s (BABA.US; 9988.HK) launch of an “instant commerce” service, what’s unfolding is more than just another takeout war — it’s an outright battle for a booming new market in “instant retail.”
Instant retail refers to a business model where ordering, delivery, and receipt of goods are completed within one to a few hours. It combines the price and product selection advantages of traditional e-commerce with the instant availability of purchases made in physical stores, addressing consumer needs for both urgency and convenience.