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Food delivery apps

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Food delivery apps
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Food delivery apps. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A food delivery rider in Causeway Bay. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong proposes job-related injury compensation for gig delivery workers

Proposals will only cover those in food and goods delivery services, as these two sectors employ most gig workers, bureau says.

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E-commerce

Dishing the dirt: official media alleges smear tactics in delivery battle

Regulation

China proposes ban on ‘irrational’ food-delivery subsidies to end price wars

China jobs

China’s gig economy is an employment reservoir – but is the well drying up?

More than 200 million people in China are flexibly employed, but AI adoption, unstable income and poor social security make positions precarious.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China society

Opinion | China moves towards better protecting its gig workers

Platforms have outrun legislation but Beijing is pledging better protections for gig workers. Hong Kong is also updating relevant laws.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong launches consultation on Keeta’s proposal over competition concerns

Competition Commission consults on delivery platform’s commitment to curb exclusivity and support fairness in the market.

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China jobs

China outlines new labour protection plan for nation’s 200 million gig workers

The 12-point document pledges stronger protections for gig-economy workforce, which has rapidly grown amid China’s economic slowdown.

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A group of delivery riders for the Chinese online platform Meituan takes a break in Chongqing, southwest China. Photo: Getty Images
E-commerce

Hidden office, fractured bone: violent clashes in China’s food safety crackdown

Details of secrecy, obstruction and violence emerge from a probe into 67,000 ‘ghost’ bakeries across China’s biggest e-commerce platforms.

E-commerce

Chinese platforms fined 3.6b yuan over ‘ghost’ takeaways amid cutthroat rivalry

The fines follow a period of intense competition that drove down prices and stalled profit-making at China’s food delivery platforms.

Video | How difficult is delivering takeaway in Hong Kong?

About 13,000 people deliver food and goods in Hong Kong, according to a 2024 survey commissioned by the city’s Labour Department.

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Tianjin

Japanese chains lose ground in north China as competition and deflation bite

Store closures in Beijing and Tianjin highlight mounting pressure from domestic rivals amid shifting consumer habits.

Analysts say Japanese retailers must adapt more quickly to China’s evolving retail landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Ancient China had food delivery services; emperors even ordered meals via eunuchs

Lingering ‘idle men’ who hung about outside restaurants preceded today’s delivery drivers; others had their food sent using sedan chairs.

E-commerce

JD.com posts quarterly loss amid costly instant delivery battle

Profit for 2025 cut in half amid expensive fight with Alibaba and Meituan, as well as dampened consumer spending.

Singapore

As Deliveroo leaves Singapore, spotlight turns on city state’s tight market

The platform’s departure has underscored the challenge of turning a profit in a dense, tightly contested market.

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A Deliveroo rider in Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, in 2025. The UK-founded food delivery platform has been scaling back in parts of Asia in recent years, including Hong Kong, as competition intensifies in the region. Photo: Sam Tsang
China consumption

‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families

Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience.

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The Xibei scandal sparked debate about pre-made meals with many Chinese families planning to ditch the popular option in favour of hosting home cooked reunion dinners this Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock
Meituan

Meituan warns of US$3.5 billion loss amid intense food delivery price war

Food delivery giant expects losses to continue into at least the first quarter of 2026 ‘due to ongoing competition’.

E-commerce

China calls on delivery, ride-hailing firms to respect gig-worker rights

Meituan, Alibaba, Didi Chuxing among 16 firms summoned for guidance session on rights of country’s more than 200 million gig workers.

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Trending in China

‘Loneliest’: meet China remote town’s only delivery rider who completes 200 orders daily

24-year-old who says he was ‘born’ to be alone becomes well-known figure in mountainous area; enjoys visiting scenic spots during time off.

A young Chinese man who is the only delivery rider in the remote Tibetan town of Motuo completes up to 200 orders a day. Photo: SCMP composite/Xinhua/RedNote
Sweden

Multinationals race into China’s US$143.9 billion instant retail market

Ikea, Continental and Aldi Nord enlist local partners to launch faster, more comprehensive delivery services than they offer abroad.

India

Gig workers’ strike in India spurs debate on human cost of delivery race

More than 200,000 gig workers recently staged protests across major Indian cities, prompting concerns about the necessity of quick commerce.

China’s private sector

China to probe food delivery platforms under anti-monopoly law

State Council announcement cites ‘excessive subsidies’ and ‘price wars’ in document unveiling market assessment for online delivery services.

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China has announced an antitrust investigation into its food delivery platforms. Photo: Shutterstock
China economy

Price wars in China

Intense price competition in China, known as “neijuan” or involution, is causing deflationary risks, corporate losses, reduced investments and wage pressure.

Price wars in China
E-commerce

Alibaba ramps up China instant commerce push with Cainiao and Tmall tie-up

Partnership designed to expand warehouse network and boost Taobao Shangou’s rapid service as rivals Meituan and JD.com scale up facilities.

Alibaba

Meituan swings into loss in ‘milk tea’ subsidy war with instant commerce rivals

Hefty subsidies on milk tea and lunchboxes drive Meituan from profit to loss, underscoring the ferocity of the war to reshape food delivery.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Keeta’s fair play pledge will in the end benefit Hong Kong consumers

Credit also goes to the Competition Commission for leaning on the company to help create a more level playing field for all participants.

In response to the Competition Commission’s concerns, Keeta, the Hong Kong arm of Chinese food delivery service giant Meituan, has promised to amend its terms and conditions for partnering restaurants as the first step in making changes. Photo: handout
Hong Kong economy

Cheaper meals on the menu after delivery firm Keeta vows fair play in Hong Kong

Restaurant operators say lower commissions and fewer restrictions by food delivery platform will help them lower prices and boost business.

Keeta’s logo at a restaurant in Kennedy Town. Photo: Edmond So
Alibaba

Alibaba rebrands food delivery app Ele.me in instant retail push

A beta version of the updated app, available to select users, adopts Taobao’s signature orange colour instead of Ele.me’s blue theme.

E-commerce

Alibaba boosts instant commerce drive with US$281 million convenience store plan

A network of Taobao-branded partner convenience stores is expected to roll out in more than 200 cities across the mainland.

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