273: Section 273

Once this feature was released, even users who hadn't activated Red Envelope for takeaways, or whose Red Envelope had run out, could still exchange for Red Envelope through a continuous supply of foodie beans, as long as they frequently ordered takeaways.

Furthermore, in this update, Meituan Takeaway also launched a task system, where completing task requirements would result in a large amount of foodie beans being credited.

With the release of these added small features, Meituan Takeaway completely perfected its Red Envelope system for takeaways.

Under these circumstances, Ele.me's market share, which had previously shown signs of recovery, began to stagnate again.

At this point, Ma Liuyun finally understood that it was almost an impossible task for Ele.me to reclaim the top spot in the takeaway market.

Meituan Takeaway's various systems had already fully matured.

No matter how much he copied or how many promotional activities he launched, he could no longer shake Meituan Takeaway's position.

However, even though Ele.me was struggling, it didn't mean that the Thousand Group Battle in the takeaway sector was over.

Penguin Waimai still held a final glimmer of hope for contention.

Inside Penguin Group at this time, Ma and others were all eagerly anticipating that the online cafeteria, which they were about to heavily promote, would completely solidify their position in the takeaway field!

No one knew yet how massive a loss this move by Penguin would bring them.

Chapter 198: The Expanding online cafeteria, Penguin's Determination!

A week after Penguin Waimai and Ele.me both launched Red Envelope for takeaways, Penguin Big Cafeteria's offline layout across Yan Country was finally fully rolled out.

At this moment, almost all cities with Penguin Waimai services had more or less a presence of Penguin Big Cafeteria, especially in some first and second-tier cities.

To expand the offline cafeteria, Penguin Group spared no expense.

After all, from Penguin Group's perspective, the potential of this offline cafeteria was just like the potential of Meituan Select—it was definitely a decisive feature.

Therefore, facing Meituan Takeaway's earlier offensive, Ma only had his subordinates copy and launch similar features, unlike Ele.me, which continued to escalate investment in this feature.

From Penguin Group's internal perspective, once this feature was fully launched in Yan Country and they began large-scale promotion, their Penguin Group-buy in the takeaway market would surely surpass Meituan.

And now, that time was almost here.

At this time, a few hours after Penguin Big Cafeteria was fully rolled out, inside Penguin Group, in a large conference room.

"Mr. Ma, all planned Penguin Big Cafeteria locations have been set up and can all be put into use tomorrow," Ma Liuyun said to Ma, looking at the information in his hand.

Ma also nodded.

"Currently, Meituan Takeaway's market share is 50%, while we and Ele.me each account for about 25%."

"But this ratio won't last much longer."

"We are about to become the market leader in the takeaway sector."

"Although this online cafeteria feature might not have as exaggerated an impact as Red Envelope for takeaways in the short term, it won't be far off."

"This battle in the takeaway sector is destined for us to be the victors."

After Ma finished speaking, the other Penguin Group executives in the room couldn't help but nod.

In their opinion, the online cafeteria feature indeed had considerable potential.

However, at this moment, Li Wenqiu suddenly thought of a question and couldn't help but speak up.

He looked at Ma.

"But Mr. Ma."

"I'm a bit confused."

"Speak."

"Why don't we activate the online cafeteria feature in phases? Why must we wait until all online cafeterias are rolled out before activating them all at once?"

Li Wenqiu paused.

"If we activate the online cafeteria feature in phases, there would be a lot of room for error, and it wouldn't be as risky."

Although Penguin Big Cafeteria was now spread across the country, it hadn't yet been widely opened.

Li Wenqiu's meaning was that they could open the online cafeteria feature in a city as soon as the Penguin Big Cafeteria in that city was built.

This way, they would be able to know the potential of the online cafeteria in real time.

If the online cafeteria's potential wasn't significant in the first few cities, they could stop in time and avoid major losses.

If they waited until all online cafeterias were rolled out before activating this feature, the risk would be much greater.

Facing Li Wenqiu's question, Ma shook his head directly.

He naturally understood Li Wenqiu's confusion.

"Why do you think Meituan Takeaway and Ele.me haven't made any moves to copy us while we're heavily deploying the online cafeteria?"

Li Wenqiu pondered for a moment.

"They are unwilling to take risks."

"Although expectations for the online cafeteria are very high right now, they are still just expectations, and there are still risks."

"They will likely copy it after the online cafeteria's potential is fully demonstrated."

After listening, Ma also nodded.

"That's right, we all know that Meituan Takeaway and Ele.me both have this idea right now."

"But what if, as you said, we activate Penguin Big Cafeteria in phases? What do you think would happen?"

Without waiting for Li Wenqiu to answer, Ma spoke directly.

"When Penguin Big Cafeteria demonstrates its potential in a few cities, Ele.me and Meituan Takeaway will be able to enter the market immediately."

"At that time, our lead over them in the online cafeteria would only be in a few cities for a certain period, and they would catch up too easily."

"But if we choose to take the risk and directly roll it out nationwide first, then they won't dare to follow suit immediately. By the time the online cafeteria's potential is discovered and they want to make a move, we will already be countless cities ahead of them."

"Even if they want to enter, it will take a considerable amount of time, which will be enough for us to return to the top position in the takeaway sector..."

To gain a sufficient leading position, Ma felt that these risks had to be taken.

After all, only this way could their advantage last long enough; if they phased out the online cafeteria to avoid risks, then even if this feature had great potential, they wouldn't have a lead for too long.

"Meituan Select before was also slowly promoted and publicized after it was fully rolled out."

"Wang Mo didn't use any phased attempts, but directly rolled it out completely at once."

"Since he dared to take the risk and bet on Meituan Select's potential, why can't we, Penguin Group, have the same perseverance to take risks?"

"I won't back down from what Wang Mo dares to do."

Listening to Ma's explanation, Li Wenqiu also slowly nodded and didn't say anything more.

The main reason Ma took this risk was because Wang Mo had made a similar move before.