Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Consumer Sector - **Event**: Citi's 2025 China Conference - **Participants**: 44 China consumer companies were hosted, leading to the identification of five investment themes in the consumer sector [1][9] Investment Themes 1. **Shift Towards Experience Consumption**: - Consumers are increasingly valuing emotional experiences over physical goods, seeking happiness and self-expression through services [2] - Companies like Pop Mart provide affordable entertainment options that resonate with young consumers [2] 2. **Focus on Well-being**: - Younger generations are prioritizing spending on wellness, including health, fitness, and mindfulness [3] - Growth opportunities are seen in sectors like sportswear (Anta), health supplements (H&H), and beauty care (Giant Bio) [3] 3. **Rising Silver Economy**: - The aging population is driving demand for leisure and cultural experiences, benefiting industries like tourism (H World, Atour) and health supplements [4] 4. **Emerging New Channels**: - New offline channels such as membership stores and snack specialty chains are gaining traction, helping to offset declines in traditional distribution [5] 5. **Multi-brand Strategy**: - Companies are expanding their brand portfolios to meet diverse consumer demands, with a focus on easing channel inventory pressure [6] Company-Specific Insights Pop Mart (9992.HK) - **Sustainability of IP Operation**: Pop Mart is seen as a growth play due to its strong IP incubation capabilities. Concerns about growth sustainability are being addressed through new product launches [10] - **LABUBU Durability**: The company plans to enhance its LABUBU IP with new products and has postponed the launch of LABUBU 4.0 to 2026 [11] - **Overseas Expansion**: Plans to operate over 60 stores in the US by the end of 2025, with expansions into Canada and Mexico [13] Laopu Gold (6181.HK) - **Sales Growth Expectations**: Management expects high revenue growth in 2H25E driven by price adjustments and new store sales [16] - **Price Adjustment Strategy**: A recent price increase of over 25% aims to maintain a gross profit margin (GPM) of at least 40% [17] - **Store Expansion Plans**: Focus on expanding floor areas in existing malls rather than entering new ones [22] Haidilao International Holding Ltd (6862.HK) - **Recovery in Table-Turn**: Management anticipates positive momentum in table-turn rates due to seasonal factors and a low comp base [30] - **Operational Improvements**: Plans to terminate loss-making pilot programs to save on operational expenses [32] China Resources Beer (0291.HK) - **Sales Performance**: The company reported low single-digit year-over-year sales growth, outperforming peers [34] - **Margin Outlook**: Expected GPM improvement in 2H25E, with a target dividend payout ratio increase to ~60% in 2025E [36] Midea Group (0300.HK) - **Sales Growth Target**: Management maintains a target of ~10% sales growth for 2025, with a focus on air-conditioning sales recovery [40] - **Overseas Business Expansion**: Plans to increase overseas production to ~30% and grow sales in developed markets through M&A [41] Li Ning (2331.HK) - **Sales Guidance**: Maintained guidance for 2025 with expectations of flat sales and high single-digit net profit margin growth [48] Nongfu Spring (9633.HK) - **Sales Guidance**: Management reiterated a mid-teen percentage growth target for 2025, with limited impact from price wars in the beverage sector [51] Cosmetics Sector - **Mixed Performance**: Domestic brands like Mao Geping and Chicmax showed strong growth, while others lagged behind [56] - **Growth Strategies**: Companies are focusing on online sales growth and improving operational efficiency to enhance margins [57][59] Additional Insights - **Consumer Trends**: There is a notable shift towards experiential consumption and wellness, indicating a changing landscape in consumer preferences [2][3] - **Operational Strategies**: Companies are adopting multi-brand strategies and optimizing supply chains to enhance profitability and meet diverse consumer demands [6][14] This summary encapsulates the key insights and trends discussed during the conference, highlighting the evolving dynamics within the China consumer sector and specific company strategies.

Summary of Hainan Duty-Free Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The duty-free industry in Hainan is experiencing significant benefits from the duty-free policy, particularly for island residents who can purchase 15 categories of goods without limits within a year, stimulating demand from both residents and buyers [2][4][15] - In November, the overall sales growth in Hainan's duty-free market reached approximately 25% year-on-year, with island residents contributing about 15% to the sales [2][15] Key Insights and Arguments - **Sales Performance**: In November, Hainan's duty-free sales are expected to reach 2.6 billion yuan, showing over 30% growth compared to the previous year [4] - **Product Categories**: - Gold jewelry saw the highest growth rate of over 20% in November, while 3C electronic products grew by about 15% [5] - The sales distribution for January to October 2025 was as follows: cosmetics 12.377 billion yuan, luxury goods 5.6324 billion yuan, 3C electronics 903 million yuan, and liquor 1.915 billion yuan [9] - **Gross Margin**: The overall gross margin for the duty-free products is maintained at around 35%, with variations across different categories [9][8] - **Supply Chain Management**: Monthly ordering is based on a 90-day sales cycle, with safety stock for new products set at 120 days. The purchasing scale for peak seasons is expected to increase by 20%-30% year-on-year [17][19] Regulatory Environment - Customs regulations on purchasing have tightened, including the implementation of traceability systems and increased monitoring at ports, which could impact the market as approximately 70% of sales come from buyers [13][14] - The future of the gold category's operational model, which involves exporting and then importing, presents growth opportunities but is subject to potential regulatory tightening [11] Consumer Behavior - After the relaxation of policies for island residents, their shopping amounts and frequency increased by about 5%, but their overall contribution remains smaller compared to the total market growth [15] - The proportion of large purchase groups (buyers) in the market is between 50% to 70%, influenced by customs regulations and product structure changes [16] Future Outlook - The duty-free industry is expected to see continued growth driven by returning Japanese customers, although this effect may not be sustainable long-term [23] - Emerging categories like gold and domestic electronic products are anticipated to become significant growth points [23] - Potential policy changes, such as increasing the current spending limit from 100,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan, could further stimulate the market [24] Additional Insights - The cost of goods in Hainan is approximately 10% lower than in the domestic market, with specific categories like cosmetics and luxury goods having significant price advantages [3][21] - The upcoming Spring Festival is expected to boost island residents' consumption as they aim to utilize their annual quotas before they reset [29] - The new Haikou Duty-Free City project aims to enhance shopping convenience and attract more customers, despite currently operating at a loss [30][31] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call regarding the Hainan duty-free industry, highlighting sales performance, regulatory impacts, consumer behavior, and future growth prospects.

Summary of China Tourism Group Duty Free Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: China Tourism Group Duty Free (CTG) - **Ticker**: 601888.SS, 1880.HK - **Industry**: Consumer (China/Hong Kong) Key Points Industry and Market Dynamics - **Opportunity from Relaxed Duty-Free Policy**: As of November 1, 2025, the addressable market (TAM) expands due to: 1. International tourists departing Hainan can shop beyond the Rmb100K limit at designated duty-free areas. 2. Local Hainan residents are now allowed to shop at duty-free stores. 3. Potential for category expansion in product offerings [2][4] Development Projects - **Sanya Duty-Free City Phase 3**: - A significant project with a gross floor area (GFA) of 410,000 sq.m, featuring an open-plan design. - This project is four times larger than Swire's Chengdu Taikoo Li, with approximately 25,000 sq.m of commercial GFA. - Aims to enhance the traveler experience by increasing the duration of stay and spending [3][8] Financial Performance and Outlook - **Sales Growth**: - Double-digit growth in traffic to Sanya Duty-Free City since Q3 2025. - Sales also grew in double digits during October and November 2025. - Management expresses confidence in the 2026 outlook, supported by a diversified sales mix including consumer electronics, gold jewelry, and sportswear [8] Valuation and Stock Performance - **Current Valuation**: - CTG-A is valued at 32x 2026 P/E, while CTG-H is at 27x 2026 P/E based on Refinitiv consensus estimates. - Price target set at Rmb66.00, indicating a downside of 16% from the closing price of Rmb78.50 on November 27, 2025 [4][6] Risks and Considerations - **Risks to Upside**: - Favorable policy outcomes for Hainan Free Trade Zone and downtown duty-free shopping. - Improvement in consumer spending, particularly in beauty and luxury products [12][13] - **Risks to Downside**: - Overall economic slowdown affecting disposable income. - Price competition among various retail channels. - Insufficient supply of luxury products and potential deepening of H-A discount [12][13] Conclusion - The company is positioned to benefit from favorable policy changes and increasing consumer demand, particularly in Hainan. However, economic uncertainties and competitive pressures pose risks to its growth and valuation.

Group 1 - The first duty-free store in Tianjin has opened and experienced a surge in customer traffic during its first weekend of operation [1] - The store is located in the Nankai District and operated by China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation, covering an area of over 1,100 square meters [1] - The store features both duty-free and taxable product areas, offering a variety of items including perfumes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, travel electronics, as well as new categories like domestic trendy products and intangible cultural heritage items [1] Group 2 - Travelers holding exit-entry documents and having purchased international flight tickets within 60 days can enjoy shopping discounts in the duty-free area [3] - After shopping, customers can collect their purchased items at the pickup point in the international departure hall of Tianjin Binhai International Airport T1, using their shopping receipts and identification [3] - There are no purchase limits for duty-free items, but purchases must comply with customs regulations [3]

Core Points - The first duty-free shop in Tianjin officially opened on November 28, operated by China Tourism Group Duty Free Co., Ltd [1] - The store covers an area of over 1,100 square meters and features both duty-free and taxable product sections [1] - Consumers holding exit-entry documents and a flight ticket for departure within 60 days can enjoy shopping benefits in the duty-free area [1] Group 1 - The duty-free area offers a variety of products including perfumes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, sunglasses, alcoholic beverages, and travel electronics [1] - The taxable area includes health products, trendy toys, taxable alcoholic beverages, and domestic premium products [1] - A customer made the first purchase in the duty-free area, buying a down jacket at a discounted price of 3,740 yuan, which is approximately 30% off the original price [1] Group 2 - Tianjin's unique geographical advantages, consumer potential, and open environment provide a broad development space for duty-free projects [1] - The opening of the duty-free shop is expected to enhance the shopping experience for travelers and boost local tourism [1]

Market Overview - The Shanghai Composite Index rose by 0.34% on November 28, with 29 out of 31 sectors experiencing gains, led by the steel and agriculture sectors, both up by 1.59% [1] - The retail trade sector ranked third in terms of gains for the day [1] - The banking and coal sectors saw declines of 0.83% and 0.14%, respectively [1] Capital Flow - The net inflow of capital in the two markets reached 10.84 billion yuan, with 19 sectors experiencing net inflows [1] - The electronics sector had the highest net inflow, totaling 3.423 billion yuan, with a daily increase of 1.30% [1] - The non-ferrous metals sector followed with a net inflow of 3.051 billion yuan and a daily increase of 1.44% [1] Retail Sector Performance - The retail trade sector increased by 1.46% with a net inflow of 629 million yuan [2] - Out of 97 stocks in the sector, 81 rose, including 4 that hit the daily limit [2] - The top three stocks by net inflow were Wenfeng Co. (164 million yuan), Youa Co. (132 million yuan), and Suhao Huihong (75 million yuan) [2] Notable Stocks in Retail Sector - Wenfeng Co. saw a daily increase of 10.00% with a turnover rate of 7.73% [2] - Youa Co. increased by 10.02% with a turnover rate of 4.94% [2] - Suhao Huihong also rose by 10.00% with a turnover rate of 2.81% [2] Stocks with Significant Outflows - The stocks with the highest net outflows included China Duty Free (1.01 billion yuan), Maoye Commercial (999.58 million yuan), and Guangbai Co. (601.46 million yuan) [2][5]

Group 1 - The tourism retail sector increased by 0.68% on November 28, with China Duty Free Group leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3888.6, up 0.34%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 12984.08, up 0.85% [1] - China Duty Free Group's closing price was 79.03, reflecting a 0.68% increase [1] Group 2 - The tourism retail sector experienced a net outflow of 110 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net inflow of 134 million yuan [1] - The detailed fund flow for China Duty Free Group showed a net outflow of 11 million yuan from institutional investors and a net inflow of 134 million yuan from retail investors, indicating a 5.40% net share from retail investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - China Duty Free Group's net profit attributable to shareholders for the first three quarters of 2025 is 3.052 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 22.13%, with Q3 net profit at 452 million yuan, down 28.94% year-on-year. However, a turning point in performance is being established in Q3 [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The company's net profit for the first three quarters of 2025 is 3.052 billion yuan, reflecting a decline of 22.13% year-on-year [1] - In Q3, the net profit attributable to shareholders is 452 million yuan, showing a year-on-year decrease of 28.94% [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Consumer demand is slowing, leading to continued pressure on the company's operating performance [1] - The core business in Hainan's duty-free market is showing signs of recovery [1] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The company is innovating consumer scenarios by deepening the integration of "duty-free + cultural tourism," creating a new business model of "shopping + entertainment + experience" [1] - Collaborations with brands like Disney and Pop Mart for IP exhibitions and pop-up stores are successfully attracting younger consumers [1] Group 4: Future Outlook - The stabilization and recovery of the core Hainan business, along with the implementation of city duty-free policies, opens up new growth opportunities [1] - With the optimization of duty-free policies, recovery of port channels, and deepening of digital operations, the company is expected to return to a growth trajectory [1] Group 5: Valuation - The current stock price corresponds to price-to-earnings ratios of 45, 38, and 31 times for the next three years, maintaining a "buy" rating [1]

Group 1: Communication Sector - The report highlights the strong fundamentals of the digital virtual goods operator, Bee Assistant (301382.SZ), with a stable business base and rapid growth in IoT and cloud terminal services [4] - The company is expected to benefit from AI trends due to its strategic investments in AI-related areas [4] Group 2: Medical Sector - United Imaging Healthcare (688271.SH) is identified as a leading domestic medical imaging equipment manufacturer with a comprehensive product line including CT, MR, MI, XR, RT, and ultrasound [4] - The company has made significant breakthroughs in core technologies and successfully launched high-end products like ultra-high field MR and digital PET-CT, which are at the forefront of global standards [4] - Anticipated revenue recognition from delayed orders in 2024 is expected to boost performance in the second half of 2025, supported by new funding for equipment upgrades [4] Group 3: Consumer Goods Sector - Gu Ming (1364.HK) is noted as a highly certain and scalable player in the tea beverage sector, with strong same-store sales and rapid franchisee payback periods [4] - The company is expected to emerge as a stable growth and expansion leader during the industry reshuffle in 2026 [4] Group 4: Home Appliances Sector - Midea Group (000333.SZ) reported a 13% year-on-year revenue increase in the ToC segment for Q1-Q3 2025, driven by high-end brands and an optimized product structure [5] - The ToB segment saw an 18% revenue increase, with significant growth in new energy and industrial technology sectors [5] - The company's focus on robotics is expected to enhance its product offerings and support long-term revenue growth [7] Group 5: Chemical Sector - Excellent New Energy (688196.SH) is positioned well in the biofuel industry, with a robust capacity layout for biodiesel and bio-based materials [7] - The company is accelerating its biodiesel project with a projected post-tax internal rate of return of 28.94%, enhancing its market competitiveness [7] Group 6: Financial Sector - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (601398.SH) is characterized by its stability and high dividend yield, making it a preferred choice for investors seeking certainty [7] - The bank's net profit showed a slight year-on-year increase of 0.33% for the first three quarters of 2025, with non-interest income growing by 11.3% [7] Group 7: Transportation Sector - Jinjiang Shipping (601083.SH) reported a remarkable 64% year-on-year increase in net profit for Q3, outperforming peers [7] Group 8: Retail Sector - China Duty Free Group (601888.SH) is experiencing a recovery in duty-free sales, benefiting from increased domestic tourism and expectations of policy support [7] Group 9: Agriculture Sector - Tian Kang Biological (002100.SZ) is positioned to benefit from rising pig prices as the industry undergoes capacity reduction, potentially enhancing profitability [8] Group 10: Electronics Sector - Huadian Co., Ltd. (002463.SZ) is experiencing high growth in server switch business driven by AI demand, with ongoing capacity expansion and improved profitability [8]

Core Insights - The first city duty-free shop in Northwest China, jointly established by China Duty Free Group and Western Airport Group, officially opened in Xi'an on November 26 [1] Group 1: Project Overview - The project is themed "Chang'an Opens a New Window, Duty-Free Delights the World," symbolizing Xi'an's step towards becoming a unique international consumption center and promoting consumption upgrades [2] - The city duty-free shop serves outbound travelers and offers flexible shopping times, immersive experiences, and deep integration into the urban core, making it a key driver for expanding domestic demand and enhancing consumption quality [2][3] Group 2: Operational Details - The Xi'an city duty-free shop spans over 2,000 square meters and features a three-level layout that combines duty-free shopping with diverse supporting services [3] - It includes five core product categories: international cosmetics, luxury bags, watches and jewelry, imported beverages, and travel electronics, with over 1,000 global brands available, offering discounts of 15%-30% compared to market prices [3] - The shop also introduces local cultural products and innovative themes, enhancing the shopping experience with professional services and a smart retail model [3] Group 3: Economic Impact - The shop is expected to attract over one million visitors annually, filling the gap in the Northwest's city duty-free market and becoming a new growth driver for urban consumption [4][5] - It aims to link duty-free shopping with major tourist attractions like the Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, promoting longer visitor stays and transforming transit tourism into in-depth tourism [5] - The collaboration between China Duty Free Group and Western Airport Group will continue to evolve, aiming to establish the Xi'an city duty-free shop as a national benchmark project and contribute to the high-quality economic development of the region [5]