河南方便面大王，摔了一跤

Core Viewpoint - The company Bai Xiang, known for its instant noodles, has recently faced backlash over its "Duoban" trademark, which misled consumers regarding product quantity, leading to a public apology and potential brand image issues [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Bai Xiang has successfully positioned itself as the third-largest player in the instant noodle market, with a market share of 12% in 2023, trailing behind Kang Shifu and Uni-President [6][8] - The company reported a sales revenue of 9.175 billion yuan in 2023, showing double-digit growth and narrowing the revenue gap with Uni-President to less than 500 million yuan [6][8] - Bai Xiang's chairman, Yao Zhongliang, founded the company in 1997, leveraging local wheat resources and gaining popularity with its "1 yuan big bone noodle" product [8] Group 2: Recent Controversy - The controversy arose when consumers discovered that the "Duoban" label on Bai Xiang's noodle packaging was a trademark, not an indication of increased quantity, leading to public outrage and a swift apology from the company [2][3][5] - The backlash was significant, with the apology trending on social media, garnering 190 million views and 34,000 discussions within 16 hours [2][3] Group 3: Market Position and Strategy - Bai Xiang has capitalized on online sales channels, especially during the rise of live-streaming e-commerce, which has significantly boosted its visibility and sales [9][10] - The company has launched innovative products like the controversial cilantro-flavored noodles, which saw a nearly 2000% increase in online sales in August 2023 [10][11] - Bai Xiang's online presence is strong, with its Douyin flagship store amassing over 5.12 million followers, far surpassing competitors [11] Group 4: Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite its online success, Bai Xiang faces challenges in the offline market, where brand recognition varies significantly among different consumer demographics [12][13] - The company is expanding its presence in southern China, with a new production facility in Guangdong set to begin operations, aiming to enhance its market penetration [14][15] - The competitive landscape remains fierce, with established brands like Kang Shifu and Uni-President maintaining strong positions in offline retail, necessitating strategic adjustments from Bai Xiang [19][20]