Core Insights - The upcoming release of the "Starry People Delicious Moments Series" by Pop Mart has generated significant pre-sale excitement, with products already being listed on e-commerce platforms before the official launch [2][3] - The resale market for the series shows remarkable price premiums, with the highest resale price for the hidden "Little Bear Biscuit" accessory reaching 929 yuan, a 16-fold increase from the original price of 59 yuan [2] - The popularity of the "Starry People" brand is evident, as previous releases have also experienced high demand, leading to stock shortages in physical stores [3] Pricing and Resale Market - The "Little Bear Biscuit" plush accessory has seen a resale average of 612.7 yuan on QianDao App, significantly higher than its original price [2] - The resale prices for individual blind boxes range from 79 to 525.5 yuan, indicating strong market interest [2] - Compared to the previous "Mini LABUBU" series, the current series shows higher resale premiums across all product types, with the highest premium for the hidden "Heart" variant reaching 12.5 times its original price [3] Market Demand and Performance - The "Starry People" brand has previously experienced explosive popularity, as seen during the release of the "Starry People Good Dream Meteorological Bureau Series," which caused platform outages due to high traffic [3] - There are reports of stock shortages in physical stores for certain "Starry People" products, indicating strong consumer demand [3]

Core Insights - The AI emotional companionship sector, previously labeled as "pseudo-demand," is potentially nurturing its first blockbuster product with the launch of "Fuzai" by Luobo Intelligent, achieving monthly sales of 20,000 units and pre-orders exceeding 100,000 units [2] - The founder, Sun Zhaozhi, identifies "emotional consumption" as a global trend, particularly among young people, where emotional issues drive them to pay for emotional value [2][3] - The target demographic for "Fuzai" primarily consists of Gen Z women, indicating a shift from emotional support as a luxury to a necessity [2] Company Overview - Luobo Intelligent was founded by Sun Zhaozhi, who has a background in industrial design and artificial intelligence, previously working at XPeng Motors and XPeng Robotics [3] - The product "Fuzai" differentiates itself through unique design and innovative technology, including the Multi-Modal Emotion Model (MEM) and EchoChain bionic memory system [3][5] Product Features - "Fuzai" establishes long-term emotional bonds with users through deep emotional interaction, setting it apart from other AI products [4] - The MEM technology allows "Fuzai" to accurately recognize users' emotional fluctuations by analyzing voice, expressions, and actions, creating a unique "emotional personality" [5] - The EchoChain system enables "Fuzai" to retain long-term memories of user interactions, enhancing the personalization of responses [5] Market Trends - The AI toy market in China is projected to reach 29 billion yuan by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 28%, potentially reaching 85 billion yuan by 2030 [4] - The rise of emotional consumption among young people, driven by social isolation and emotional voids, is creating a dependency on AI companionship products [4] - Investment in the AI toy sector is increasing, with 96 investment institutions involved, including major players like Sequoia and ByteDance [4][6] Competitive Landscape - The AI toy market is attracting numerous startups and established internet companies, with major players like Baidu and JD.com accelerating their investments [6] - AI toys are categorized into two types: native IP products and AI versions of existing IPs, expanding the market from children to all age groups [6] Future Developments - Luobo Intelligent is developing the "Fuzai ecosystem," which aims to integrate psychological assessments, parent-child companionship, and virtual social interactions into a comprehensive emotional service matrix [7] - The market for AI toys is increasingly focusing on the keyword "companionship," with a significant percentage of consumers willing to pay for emotional support services [7]

Group 1 - The new product "Starry People Delicious Moment Series - Freshly Baked Cookie Plush Keychain Blind Box" from Pop Mart (09992.HK) is highly sought after before its official release on September 29 [1][4] - The hidden variant "Bear Cookie" has seen its highest transaction price rise from 59 yuan to 929 yuan, representing a premium rate of nearly 15 times [1] - The individual blind box price increased from 59 yuan to 249 yuan, while the complete box price rose from 354 yuan to 1499 yuan, both showing a premium rate exceeding 3.2 times [1] Group 2 - The "Starry People Delicious Moment Series" figures are also popular, with a set of 12 plus one hidden variant priced originally at 828 yuan, now trading at 1055 yuan, indicating a 27% premium [4] - The series was created by artist Da Xin, and the characters represent stories of courage, longing, and love [4]

Summary of Pop Mart International Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Pop Mart International Group (Ticker: 9992.HK) - **Industry**: Consumer Products, specifically in the toy and collectibles sector - **Market Cap**: Approximately US$45.92 billion as of September 26, 2025 Key Observations from US Store Visits 1. **Customer Engagement**: Many new customers were observed in stores, indicating effective introduction of Pop Mart's "blind boxes" and diverse product offerings beyond just Labubu plush toys, suggesting strong potential for brand expansion in the US market [1][2] 2. **Store Locations**: The current 50 US stores are primarily located in residential areas, with limited presence in high-traffic commercial zones. This rollout strategy is seen as crucial for establishing a loyal customer base [2] 3. **Operational Challenges**: Some stores are smaller than optimal (≤100 sqm) despite good foot traffic. There is a reliance on app sales for bestsellers, and some stores are using social media for restocking announcements, indicating room for operational optimization [2][3] Customer Demographics - **Consumer Cohorts**: A notable presence of children accompanied by adults was observed, likely due to higher disposable income in the US. Adult customers aged 20-40 made up the majority, with Asian customers constituting 30-40% in some locations [3] Store Performance - **Traffic and Sales**: All visited stores reported strong traffic, with five outperforming adjacent stores, second only to Apple stores during the iPhone 17 launch. The Jersey Gardens store underperformed due to nearby discount offerings and limited product availability during its soft opening [4] Competitive Landscape - **Unique Selling Proposition**: No direct competition was noted in the toy/hobby sector offering a similar unboxing experience or product variety. Popular IPs beyond Labubu include Crybaby, Skullpanda, and various licensed anime/Disney products [5] Merchandise Strategy - **Product Rotation**: Each store carries a subset of Pop Mart's total portfolio, allowing for frequent rotation of merchandise to maintain customer interest and freshness [6] Financial Metrics and Projections - **Stock Rating**: Overweight with a price target of HK$382.00, representing a 44% upside from the current price of HK$266.00 [7] - **Earnings Projections**: Expected EPS growth from Rmb 2.43 in FY 2024 to Rmb 13.68 by FY 2027, with revenue projections increasing from Rmb 13.038 billion to Rmb 54.757 billion over the same period [7] Risks and Opportunities - **Upside Risks**: Faster overseas growth, successful product launches, and retention of sales momentum in China [15] - **Downside Risks**: Weak macroeconomic conditions, uncertainties in new product development, and challenges in overseas expansion [17] Conclusion Pop Mart International Group is positioned for growth in the US market, with strong customer engagement and a unique product offering. However, operational optimizations and strategic store placements will be critical for building a sustainable customer base. The financial outlook remains positive, with significant growth potential in earnings and revenue.

Core Viewpoint - In the first half of 2025, China's Pop Mart has surpassed Disney and Bandai Namco in toy revenue, becoming the second-largest toy company globally, only behind LEGO, with a revenue of 138.76 billion RMB, marking a significant growth in the industry landscape [1][5]. Revenue Performance - Pop Mart achieved a revenue of 138.8 billion RMB in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 204.4%, while adjusted net profit reached 47.1 billion RMB, up 362.8% [1]. - The core IP "THE MONSTERS," represented by Labubu, contributed 48.1 billion RMB in revenue, accounting for 34.7% of total revenue [3]. - The plush toy category saw revenue of 61.4 billion RMB, a staggering increase of 1276.2%, surpassing the figure for figurines for the first time [3]. Comparison with Competitors - Disney's consumer products division reported a revenue of 138.6 billion RMB in the first half of 2025, with a growth of approximately 3.5%, while Bandai Namco's toy revenue is estimated at 134.4 billion RMB [5]. - Pop Mart, Disney, and Bandai Namco are closely matched in toy revenue, with only a few hundred million RMB separating them [5]. IP Strategy and Market Position - Pop Mart's success is attributed to its unique approach, leveraging its own IPs without relying on traditional media narratives, unlike Disney and Bandai Namco, which depend on strong content ecosystems [7][9]. - Pop Mart's IPs, including THE MONSTERS, MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, CRYBABY, and DIMOO, all generated over 10 billion RMB in revenue, indicating a robust portfolio [9]. - The recent opening of Pop Mart's city park in Beijing signifies a strategic move to enhance IP value through physical experiences [10]. Future Outlook - Despite Pop Mart's rapid growth, traditional giants like Disney and Bandai Namco still hold advantages in IP diversity and global reach, leaving the future competitive landscape uncertain [12].

Core Insights - The collectible card market in China is entering a monetization phase, with companies like Hitcard and the industry leader, Kayo, pursuing IPOs [1][4] - Hitcard, founded in 2021, focuses on adult collectible cards and has secured significant investments from various entities, including a 10% stake from Reading Group [1][3] - The company has seen substantial revenue growth, achieving approximately 400 million RMB in revenue last year, with a projected 100% growth this year [3][4] Company Overview - Hitcard specializes in adult collectible cards and has developed partnerships with popular IPs, including anime and film franchises [3] - The company has launched successful products, such as the "Celebration Year" card series, which generated a GMV of 20 million RMB [3] - Hitcard's flagship store on Taobao features a card from the drama "Hush, the King is Hibernating," which has sold over 7,000 units, outperforming many well-known anime IPs [3] Market Analysis - The collectible card market in China is dominated by a few major players, with Kayo holding a 71.1% market share and generating 10.057 billion RMB in revenue [4] - The market is still in need of regulatory improvements, which may delay IPOs for companies like Kayo and Hitcard [4] - Compared to developed countries, China's per capita spending on collectible cards is significantly lower, indicating substantial growth potential in the coming years [4] - The collectible card market in China is projected to reach 44.6 billion RMB by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1% from 2024 to 2029 [4]

Core Viewpoint - The collectible card market in China is entering a monetization phase, with companies like Hitcard and established players like 卡游 (Kaworld) pushing for IPOs and significant growth in revenue and market presence [1][3]. Company Overview - Hitcard, founded in 2021, focuses on adult collectible cards and has received multiple rounds of funding from notable investors including 泡泡玛特 (Pop Mart), 红杉中国 (Sequoia China), and 阅文集团 (Yuewen Group) [1]. - After a significant investment from Yuewen Group, Hitcard has access to over 1,000 IPs and offline channel resources, enhancing its market position [1]. - In 2024, Hitcard's collaboration on the 《庆余年》 card series generated a GMV of 20 million RMB [2]. Financial Performance - Hitcard achieved approximately 400 million RMB in revenue last year, marking a year-on-year growth of over 600%, with expectations for another 100% growth this year [2]. - The company has already reached profitability, indicating a strong business model and market demand [2]. Market Comparison - Despite Hitcard's growth, it still lags behind the market leader, 卡游, which holds a 71.1% market share and reported revenues of 10.057 billion RMB in 2024 [3]. - The top five companies in the collectible card market account for 82.4% of the total market share, highlighting the competitive landscape [3]. Market Potential - Current spending on collectible cards in China is significantly lower than in developed countries, with per capita spending at 18.7 RMB compared to 119.3 RMB in Japan and 64.0 RMB in the U.S., suggesting substantial growth potential [3]. - The Chinese collectible card market is projected to reach 44.6 billion RMB by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1% from 2024 to 2029, indicating a sustained high demand [3].

Core Points - The Beijing Haidian District Market Supervision Administration has cracked down on a retail store selling products that allegedly infringe on the registered trademark rights of "Pop Mart" [1] - The investigation was initiated based on consumer reports, leading to the discovery of multiple blind boxes and plush accessories marked with "POP MART" and "THE MONSTERS" that closely resembled genuine products [1] - The infringing products were confirmed to be unauthorized and of inferior quality, lacking proper anti-counterfeiting measures [1] Summary by Sections Trademark Infringement Case - The involved merchant purchased the infringing products from unofficial online channels and sold them at prices lower than the genuine products [1] - The Haidian District Market Supervision Administration imposed administrative penalties, including confiscation of all infringing goods and fines, and ordered the merchant to cease infringement activities [1] - Confiscated infringing products will be destroyed, and investigations will trace back to the upstream suppliers [1] Consumer Awareness and Protection - The Market Supervision Administration has reminded consumers that "Pop Mart" products have high market recognition, and infringing products often have poor material quality and craftsmanship, posing potential health risks [2] - Consumers are encouraged to report suspected infringing products by calling hotlines 12315 or 12345 to help maintain a fair market environment [2] - Retailers are advised to strictly comply with trademark laws and refrain from purchasing or selling unauthorized products [2]

Core Insights - Recent surge in gold prices, with spot gold exceeding $3720 per ounce on September 22, leading to increased interest in gold as a value preservation asset [1] - Pop Mart is entering the jewelry market, targeting a market valued at 778.8 billion yuan, with its jewelry brand Popop [1] Company Developments - Popop launched a gold jewelry collection featuring its popular IP, Baby Molly, including items like beads, pendants, and gold bars [1] - Initial sales performance is promising, with noticeable increases in foot traffic and sales at Popop's stores in Shanghai and Beijing within three days of opening [1] Market Trends - Popop's gold jewelry is priced at a premium, with a 0.7-gram heart bead selling for 1380 yuan, approximately 2000 yuan per gram, which is 25% higher than similar products from traditional gold retailers [1] - Despite the high prices, younger consumers are showing interest in "IP gold jewelry," indicating a shift in purchasing behavior from traditional gold to themed jewelry [1] Consumer Behavior - Concerns exist regarding the sustainability of interest in Popop's products, as previous releases from the LABUBU brand saw a decline in popularity after initial excitement [1] - The effectiveness of combining IP branding with gold jewelry to attract the 90s and 00s generation, who are now the main consumers of gold, remains to be seen [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in spot gold prices has led to increased consumer interest in gold investments, prompting companies like Pop Mart to enter the gold jewelry market with their Popop brand, leveraging their Baby Molly IP to attract customers [1][2]. Group 1: Market Context - Spot gold prices have reached historical highs, influencing consumer psychology towards gold as a valuable investment [1]. - The Chinese潮玩 (trendy toy) market is projected to grow from 727 billion yuan in 2024 to 911 billion yuan by 2028, while the jewelry market is significantly larger, estimated at 778.8 billion yuan in 2024 [2]. Group 2: Product Launch and Strategy - Popop's gold series includes products like gold beads and pendants, priced between 980 yuan and 6,800 yuan, catering to various consumer budgets [2]. - The pricing strategy for Popop's products is based on a "one-price" model, which may limit price-sensitive consumers' willingness to purchase [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Popop's average price per gram for gold products is approximately 25% higher than that of traditional brands like Lao Pu Gold, which may affect its market competitiveness [3]. - Industry experts express mixed opinions on Popop's pricing strategy, with some suggesting it could deter price-sensitive buyers, while others believe it could leverage the rising gold prices to gain market traction [3]. Group 4: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The jewelry market presents significant growth potential, with a focus on cross-industry collaborations and IP partnerships to create popular products [5]. - Pop Mart's entry into the gold jewelry sector aligns with the trend of younger consumers, particularly those born in the '90s and '00s, becoming the main demographic for gold purchases [6]. - The company has been actively expanding its global presence, opening several flagship stores in 2025, indicating a commitment to enhancing customer experience [7].