Research on the Price Volatility Mechanism under the Competition of Takeout Platforms - Thrid Party Perspective Analysis of Platforms, Merchants, and Consumers

In recent years, the rise of the digital economy and the "fast commerce and fast delivery" model. The significant intensification of competition among food delivery platforms has led to price wars becoming the norm in industry. Various platforms quickly stimulate order growth and increase user base through strategies such as subsidies, discounts, and free orders. This competitive approach may bring market expansion and consumer dividends in the short term. However, it has led to potential problems such as decreased profits, compressed merchant profits, and consumer price dependence. This article elaborates on the current development status of domestic and international food delivery platforms, explores the operational and profit models of conventional platforms, and analyzes the competitive strategies of platforms, changes in merchant profits, and consumer choice psychology in price wars from multiple perspectives. On this basis, through data collection and comparison, the article explores the trend of commodity price fluctuations and analyzes their causes. Finally, this article proposes suggestions for differentiated competition, product optimization, and rational consumption for platforms, merchants, and consumers. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural driving forces behind price fluctuations in the food delivery industry, providing theoretical and practical references for promoting sustainable competition in the industry.