Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has raised concerns about alleged anti-competitive practices in China’s food delivery market, claiming that food delivery couriers are facing pressure not to collaborate with its new service, JD Takeaway.
In a statement released via the company’s official Weixin account, JD.com asserted that couriers were being coerced by rival platforms to avoid taking orders from JD Takeaway, Reuters reported.
JD Takeaway, launched in February 2025, marked JD.com’s entry into China’s highly competitive food delivery industry. The company has sought to differentiate itself by offering restaurants a zero-commission model throughout the year, a move that threatens to undercut the pricing strategies of dominant players in a traditionally low-margin sector.
Without naming specific competitors, JD.com expressed empathy toward couriers allegedly forced to choose between platforms, noting that such pressure undermines the principles of fair market competition. The company’s announcement included a pledge to support couriers affected by these dynamics, including a commitment to provide sufficient order volumes to those banned by other services to help them sustain their income.
China’s food delivery market is currently dominated by Meituan, with Ele.me, owned by Alibaba, holding the second-largest share. Both companies were contacted for comment, but did not immediately respond.
In a series of posts on its own Weixin account, Meituan refuted JD.com’s claims, though it did not mention the company by name. Meituan denied imposing any restrictions on couriers working with multiple platforms and instead accused JD.com of curbing its own couriers from accepting external orders. One post, titled “Instead of spreading rumours to attract online attention, it is better to fulfil your promises,” featured philosophical reflections from classic Chinese literature, suggesting a preference to remain above the fray rather than engage in public disputes.
Further, Meituan reported it had disciplined a driver who allegedly fabricated claims that he was banned from the platform for working with JD.com, calling the assertion “pure fabrication.”
In a show of confidence and commitment, JD.com announced plans to double its recruitment target for full-time delivery personnel, aiming to hire 100,000 riders over the next three months. The company also emphasized its unique position as the first in the industry to offer full-time riders formal labor contracts, including access to comprehensive insurance benefits.
As the competition intensifies, JD.com’s bold expansion strategy and the ensuing conflict with established players highlight the growing complexities of China’s evolving food delivery market. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for labor practices and competitive conduct across the industry.
