Core Insights - The latest quarterly "China Online Consumption Brand Index" (CBI) and "Global Brand China Online Top 500" (CBI500) indicate a continued rise in consumer preference for brand goods, with the CBI reaching 62.65, a year-on-year increase of 0.92% [1] - DJI and Pop Mart have shown rapid growth, with DJI entering the top 10 of the CBI500 for the first time, and Pop Mart ranking 12th [1] Industry Trends - The CBI series indices reflect a macroeconomic trend of consumption recovery and a shift towards high-quality development, with a notable increase in the core CPI by 0.6% year-on-year in the first three quarters [1][4] - Significant growth in the CBI index was observed in sectors such as women's clothing, 3C smart products, daily beauty products, outdoor sports, pet supplies, men's clothing, and home furnishings, indicating a heightened consumer focus on quality and brand [4][5] - The women's clothing sector saw a notable increase of over 5 points in its index, driven by intensified competition and a focus on quality upgrades [4] Brand Performance - The top five brands in the CBI500 remain consistent with previous quarters: Apple, Xiaomi, Midea, Huawei, and Haier [6] - Brands like DJI and Pop Mart have improved their rankings significantly due to product innovation and seasonal demand, with DJI leveraging unique features in its products and Pop Mart capitalizing on its original IP [6][7] - New entrants in the food category, such as Guangzhou Restaurant and Crab Taotai, benefited from seasonal demand for mooncake gift boxes, while educational brands like Deli and Morning Glory also saw significant improvements [6] Consumer Behavior - The CBI500 rankings are based on real consumer purchasing behavior, utilizing 12 metrics including sales, price, search volume, and positive reviews to assess brand competitiveness [7] - The emphasis on quality and innovation is seen as a key driver for brand strength, moving away from cost-based competition towards a focus on quality, brand differentiation, and value [8]

Group 1: Crybaby Exhibition - The "Letting Go... Holding On..." Crybaby exhibition, presented by Pop Mart and Molly Factory, officially opened on December 20, 2025, in Shanghai, marking Crybaby's first appearance in China and its largest exhibition to date [1] - The exhibition spans nearly 2,000 square meters, designed as a "soft world" that invites visitors to embark on an emotional journey centered around tears [1] - Key features include the "tear ball pool," which covers 864 square meters and connects three main pools, symbolizing a journey from overcoming obstacles to self-liberation [2] Group 2: Emotional Themes and Interactivity - The exhibition's design translates abstract emotions into tangible, interactive scenes, showcasing classic characters Crybaby, Crybunny, and Cryteddy [2] - Interactive elements such as finding "tear drop" lucky balls, lighting up emotional icons, and creating personalized Crybaby figures enhance the exploration and engagement of visitors [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the increasing interest in Hong Kong stocks, driven by their valuation advantages and strong corporate governance [3][10] - The Hong Kong market is currently at a low valuation, with major companies focusing on shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks, indicating a robust governance structure [10][11] - The Hong Kong market features a number of scarce industry leaders with lower prices and higher dividend rates, enhancing their investment appeal [10][11] Group 2 - The adjusted cost-performance ratio of Hong Kong stocks is more favorable, with opportunities in both technology and dividend sectors [11] - In the technology sector, attention is drawn to internet companies focusing on large model developments, where leading firms are establishing competitive barriers through funding and data advantages [11] - In the dividend sector, bank stocks are highlighted for their low valuations and stable dividend returns, attracting long-term institutional investors [11][12] Group 3 - Two factors are expected to further boost the Hong Kong market: the U.S. interest rate cut cycle, which may lead to a global capital influx, and the continued appreciation of the RMB, increasing the attractiveness of RMB-denominated assets [12] - The company Guangfa Securities recommends a "barbell strategy" for investment, suggesting a long-term allocation to stable value assets while maintaining exposure to growth assets in the Hong Kong market [12] - The Hong Kong Large Cap 30 ETF (520560) is presented as a suitable tool for long-term investment, combining high-growth technology stocks and stable dividend-paying stocks [5][12]

Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities maintains a "strong buy" rating for Pop Mart (09992), highlighting the company's overseas organizational structure as a driver for sustainable growth, and the strong potential of its IP products like LABUBU and Starry People [1] Group 1: Market Data and Trends - High-frequency data tracked by third parties shows a marginal growth trend, but there are issues with sample selection and interpretation, particularly regarding app download volumes and search indices [1] - User data indicates that the U.S. has the highest daily active users, followed by China, Japan, Australia, and Thailand, which shows significant discrepancies compared to the company's mid-year disclosures [1] - The online trading volume is affected by channel changes, limiting the data's reference value, especially during the initial surge of plush toy sales due to supply shortages [1] Group 2: Offline Sales and Secondary Market - The company emphasizes the importance of offline store experiences, which are seen as crucial for brand culture transmission, and plans to gradually return hot products to offline sales after resolving capacity issues [2] - Changes in the secondary market, particularly the adjustment of consignment standards for blind boxes, are expected to negatively impact transaction volumes [2] - Historical tracking shows limited correlation between the company's performance and secondary market prices, indicating potential challenges in managing market expectations [2] Group 3: Overseas Localization and Strategy - The company is advancing its overseas localization strategy, supported by a diverse IP and product matrix, flexible supply chain, and strong operational capabilities [3] - Recent organizational adjustments aim to enhance global operations, with regional headquarters established in Greater China, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe [3] - The company has seen promising local product performances post-adjustment, indicating potential for growth in international markets [3]

Core Viewpoint - The report from China Merchants Securities maintains a "strong buy" rating for Pop Mart (09992), highlighting the company's overseas organizational structure as a driver for sustained growth, with strong potential in its IP products like LABUBU and Starry People [1] Group 1: Market Data and Trends - High-frequency data tracked by third parties shows a marginal growth trend, but there are issues with sample selection and interpretation, particularly regarding app download volumes and search indices [1] - User data indicates that the U.S. has the highest daily active users, followed by China, Japan, Australia, and Thailand, which shows a significant discrepancy compared to the company's mid-year disclosures [1] - The online trading volume is affected by channel changes, limiting the data's reference value, especially during the initial surge of plush toy sales due to supply shortages [1] Group 2: Offline Sales and Second-Hand Transactions - The company emphasizes the importance of offline store experiences, which are seen as crucial for brand culture transmission, and plans to gradually return hot products to offline sales after resolving capacity issues [2] - Changes in the second-hand trading standards for blind boxes have negatively impacted transaction volumes, as the new requirements for original packaging and unopened items are stricter [2] - Historical tracking shows limited correlation between the company's performance and second-hand prices, indicating potential challenges in managing market expectations [2] Group 3: Overseas Localization and Organizational Structure - The company is advancing its overseas localization strategy, supported by a diverse IP and product matrix, flexible supply chain, and strong operational capabilities [3] - An organizational restructuring has been completed to focus on regional strategies, establishing regional headquarters in Greater China, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe [3] - The restructuring aims to enhance local product performance, with expectations for regionally limited editions to increase from less than 5% in the first half of 2025 to 10%-15% [3]

Core Insights - The holiday season, particularly Christmas, is a significant time for emotional consumption, with brands leveraging various IPs to boost sales and profits [1] - The collaboration between popular IPs and consumer products is gaining traction, with companies like Bubble Mart and Miniso actively engaging in cross-industry partnerships [2][4] - The IP retail market in China is experiencing substantial growth, with a reported retail value of $13.77 billion in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 9.6% [6] Group 1: IP Collaborations and Market Trends - Popular IP collaborations, such as the partnership between Heytea and Bubble Mart's "Star People," have generated significant buzz on social media, with sales exceeding 100 million yuan in the first year of collaboration [2] - The interest consumption market is projected to surpass 380 billion yuan by the third quarter of 2025, indicating a growth rate of over 10% compared to the previous year [2] - The collaboration between Disney's "Zootopia 2" and over 60 brands showcases the potential for large-scale IP commercialization, with companies like Bubble Mart and Miniso leading the charge [3][5] Group 2: Strategies for IP Utilization - Companies are advised to segment their audience effectively, creating limited edition products for core fans while offering practical items for broader consumer groups [1] - The success of IPs relies on their ability to connect with consumers through quality content and innovative product offerings, as seen in the strategies of Disney and Bubble Mart [7][8] - Miniso's dual strategy of leveraging both international licensed IPs and signing exclusive agreements with original artists aims to build a robust IP ecosystem [8][9] Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - The risk of consumer fatigue due to oversaturation of IP collaborations is a concern, necessitating a focus on meaningful engagement rather than superficial partnerships [5][9] - The need for brands to align character emotions with consumer needs is crucial for successful IP integration, moving beyond mere branding to create relatable experiences [9] - The competitive landscape for IPs is intensifying, with companies exploring new methods to differentiate themselves and avoid homogenization in the market [7][9]

Core Insights - Generation Z is driving a global toy consumption boom, significantly boosting the performance of related companies [1] - The phenomenon is termed "happy economy," where adults seek emotional comfort and nostalgic experiences through consumption [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Pop Mart's revenue for the first half of 2025 reached 138.8 billion RMB (approximately 19.3 billion USD), with net profit surging nearly 400% [2] - Jellycat's revenue grew by 66% in 2024 to 333 million GBP, up from 200 million GBP in 2023, with pre-tax profit more than doubling from 67 million GBP to 139 million GBP [2] - The Labubu toy alone contributed approximately 423 million USD to Pop Mart's global revenue in 2024 [2] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - The "Peter Pan effect" describes adults' reluctance to grow up and take on responsibilities, leading them to seek comfort in childhood nostalgia [2] - Economic and geopolitical instability, along with rising living costs, have made traditional milestones like homeownership seem unattainable for many in Generation Z [3] - The phenomenon of "doomsday consumption" has emerged, where Generation Z seeks immediate comfort through small pleasures like travel and collectible toys [3] Group 3: Community and Belonging - A prevalent sense of loneliness among Generation Z influences their consumer choices, with toy purchasing and collecting serving as a means to seek community belonging [4] - A survey indicated that 85% of British Generation Z respondents often feel lonely, highlighting the emotional aspect of their consumption [4] - Jellycat has become the fastest-growing brand in sales at Selfridges, driven by the desire of Generation Z and millennials to integrate into communities through collecting [4]

Core Insights - The core of the article emphasizes the unique business model of Pop Mart, which leverages strong IP and a light asset structure to create a highly profitable commercial empire with a gross margin of 70.3% in the first half of the year and a loyal customer base of 59 million contributing over 90% of sales [1][17]. Group 1: Pop Mart's Business Model - Pop Mart's success is attributed to its strong IP and high repurchase rates, with customers making an average of 6.8 purchases per year and a repurchase rate exceeding 50%, significantly higher than luxury brands like LV [1][17]. - The emotional economy plays a crucial role in Pop Mart's rise, paralleling historical trends in Japan and the U.S. where similar consumer behaviors emerged during economic downturns [2][18]. Group 2: Competitors and Market Dynamics - Card Game (卡游) is the largest competitor to Pop Mart, reporting revenue of 10.057 billion and a net profit of 4.466 billion, with a gross margin of 68.2% [3][19]. - Despite its success, Card Game faces challenges due to its heavy reliance on IP licensing, with 73% of its revenue coming from Ultraman-related products, raising concerns about sustainability if licensing fees increase [19][20]. - 52TOYS, another competitor, has a gross margin of 68.2% and is noted for its potential to go public, but it missed critical opportunities in IP development compared to Pop Mart [5][20][22]. Group 3: Market Trends and Emotional Economy - The emotional economy is expanding beyond toys, with significant growth in pet-related products and services, reflecting changing consumer needs as birth rates decline [27][30]. - Companies like pidan and PETKIT are capitalizing on the emotional needs of pet owners, with pidan achieving sales of 830 million and a gross margin of 58% in 2024 [29][30]. - The rise of emotional value as a core competitive advantage is evident across various sectors, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards products that fulfill emotional needs [26][32].

Core Viewpoint - The recent Central Economic Work Conference emphasizes the need for a shift in business paradigms to resist "involution" competition and focus on value creation and high-quality development [2][26]. Group 1: Transition from Scale to Quality - Chinese enterprises have achieved significant growth, with 130 companies entering the Fortune Global 500 this year, but now must transition from speed and scale to quality and efficiency [4][29]. - The criteria for measuring development quality include investment returns, market presence, profitability, employee income, government tax revenue, and environmental improvement [4][29]. - Companies like Midea are focusing on modern governance to ensure stable development, projecting a profit of 38.5 billion yuan in 2024 with a market value of 630 billion yuan [4][29]. Group 2: Focus on Core Competencies - Companies should prioritize strengthening their core business rather than blindly expanding into unrelated areas, as many issues arise from straying from core competencies [6][31]. - The principle of business core focus suggests eliminating non-core and loss-making operations to maintain clarity and efficiency [6][31]. - For instance, CATL focuses solely on its core business of power batteries, projecting a profit of 50.7 billion yuan in 2024 with a market value of 1.8 trillion yuan [6][31]. Group 3: Shift from Management to Strategic Operations - The current era requires businesses to focus on strategic operations rather than just management, emphasizing the importance of making the right business decisions to enhance profitability [7][32]. - Effective leadership involves setting strategic direction and resource acquisition while delegating management tasks to subordinates [7][32]. - The distinction between management and operations is crucial, with a focus on generating revenue and market engagement being paramount [7][32]. Group 4: Value-Driven Pricing Strategies - Companies must transition from cost-based pricing to value-based pricing, focusing on the value delivered to customers rather than merely production costs [13][40]. - The importance of understanding the relationship between price, volume, and cost is highlighted, with a focus on maintaining price stability in over-saturated markets [17][42]. - Successful brands like Pop Mart leverage emotional and social value in their products, achieving significant revenue growth and market capitalization [41]. Group 5: Moving Towards Cooperative Competition - The need for a shift from harmful competition to cooperative competition is emphasized, where companies focus on creating value rather than engaging in destructive price wars [18][43]. - The concept of "prisoner's dilemma" illustrates the need for industry players to prioritize collective industry benefits over individual gains [19][44]. - Promoting a cooperative ecosystem within industries can lead to sustainable growth and mutual benefits for all stakeholders involved [19][44].

Core Insights - The opening of Pop Mart's first offline store in the Philippines marks a significant step in its localization and refined operations in the Asia-Pacific region [1][4][7] Group 1: Store Opening Details - The store is located in SM Megamall, a major shopping center in Manila, which is the seventh largest mall globally, attracting a high volume of foot traffic [4] - The store spans nearly 300 square meters and features a variety of IP products and unique design elements, creating an immersive shopping experience for local consumers [4] - A 12-meter tall themed Christmas tree, decorated with brand IP images, was installed in the mall to celebrate the peak Christmas shopping season, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement [4] Group 2: Market Strategy and Consumer Engagement - The company has previously conducted successful pop-up events in high-end malls in Manila, which helped build a stable consumer base and brand reputation [6] - A "Coffee Factory" themed pop-up store was recently opened in SM North Edsa, showcasing a café-style design and a range of coffee-related products, marking the largest pop-up store in the Philippines to date [6] - Pop Mart hosted an artist fan meeting for its popular IP Hirono, allowing direct interaction between the artist and fans, further deepening emotional connections with local consumers [6] Group 3: Future Outlook - Analysts view the opening of the first store in the Philippines as a crucial part of Pop Mart's strategy in the Asia-Pacific market, targeting a young, socially active demographic that embraces trendy culture [7] - The company plans to continue expanding in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing brand influence and leveraging its IP potential to provide richer cultural experiences for consumers [7]