Overview

• On September 20, Taobao Flash began offering in-store group deals across core business districts in the three pilot cities.
• The catalog is shared with Ele.me and is accessible through Taobao, Alipay and Gaode app entry points.
• Initial offerings center on high-frequency dining, including beverages, Chinese full-service meals, desserts, quick-service chains and local snacks, with both national and local brands participating.
• Gaode’s Street-Sweeping List supports the rollout with over RMB 1 billion in incentives, including RMB 200 million in ride-hailing coupons and RMB 950 million in spending vouchers to lower the cost of visiting stores.
• Discounted set menus show sizable markdowns, and Alibaba indicates plans to scale to more Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities and to vie with Meituan and Dianping during the Golden Week rush.