HEILAN HOME(SH:600398) Shang Hai Zheng Quan Bao·2025-04-30 14:48Core Viewpoint - The annual report of HLA Group highlights the challenges faced by the apparel industry in China during 2024, including sluggish consumer demand and increased competition, while also outlining the company's strategic initiatives and financial performance. Group 1: Company Overview - HLA Group is a major retail group in China specializing in apparel, with a focus on self-owned brands, international brand agency, and customized group purchases [12][13]. - The company operates several brands, including its main brand "HLA," women's brand "OVV," trendy brand "HLA JEANS," and children's brand "YeeHoO" [13][14]. Group 2: Industry Situation - The apparel industry in China faced a challenging economic environment in 2024, with retail sales of clothing reaching 1,071.62 billion yuan, a mere 0.1% increase year-on-year, significantly slowing down from the previous year's growth rate of 15.3% [5][6]. - Consumer preferences have shifted towards value, functionality, and sustainability, leading to increased pressure on traditional products [6][7]. - The market for men's clothing is characterized by intense competition, with a shift from scale expansion to value cultivation, impacting smaller brands [7][8]. - Women's clothing brands are focusing on quality, design, and brand culture, leading to a competitive landscape where innovation is crucial for survival [8]. - The sportswear segment is experiencing growth due to rising health awareness, but brands face challenges such as profit pressure and inventory issues [8][9]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 1.80 yuan per 10 shares, totaling approximately 864.5 million yuan for the year, which represents 91.22% of the net profit attributable to shareholders [4]. - The total cash dividend for 2024, including previous distributions, amounts to approximately 1.97 billion yuan [4]. Group 4: Business Model - HLA Group employs a "platform + brand" model for its operations, providing unified management services across its brands while allowing for independent brand operations [24][30]. - The company has established a logistics center in Jiangyin, equipped with advanced systems for efficient inventory management and supply chain integration [25][27]. - The sales channels include both offline and online platforms, with a focus on major urban centers and e-commerce platforms like Tmall and JD.com [30].