Three Squirrels(SZ:300783) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-13 23:44Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of Three Squirrels, once a member of the "100 billion club," highlighting its financial struggles, operational failures, and loss of consumer trust, leading to a significant drop in revenue and profitability [3][5][11]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Three Squirrels reported a slight revenue increase of 2.13% to 3.723 billion yuan, but net profit plummeted by 22.46% [3]. - The company had previously announced a revenue of 10.6 billion yuan in 2024, but this was overshadowed by operational crises, including the closure of over 700 stores and a failed acquisition attempt [3][5]. Store Operations - The number of stores decreased from a peak of 1,043 to 333 by the end of 2024, with a daily average sales of only 5,000 yuan per store, significantly lower than competitors [5]. - The closures were attributed to poor management practices, including severe price discrepancies between online and offline sales, leading to a drastic drop in franchisee profitability [5][8]. Acquisition Attempts - In October 2024, Three Squirrels attempted to acquire the regional snack brand "Love Snacks" for 200 million yuan, but the deal fell apart within eight months due to disputes over pricing and control [7]. - The company also faced criticism for its aggressive expansion strategy, launching 33 sub-brands in 2024, which diluted its core business focus [7][8]. Pricing and Cost Issues - The company's pricing strategy led to a significant decline in the prices of core products, with a year-on-year drop of over 16% for certain items, while raw material costs increased by 30%, compressing gross margins to 26.74% [8]. - Quality control issues arose from the establishment of new production facilities, leading to multiple complaints regarding food safety [8][10]. Management and Governance - Internal management issues were exacerbated by corruption scandals, resulting in the departure of several key executives and a significant overhaul of the board [10]. - The company's major shareholders, IDG and Today Capital, drastically reduced their holdings from 41.6% in 2023 to just 3.91% by Q1 2025, indicating a loss of investor confidence [11]. Marketing and Sales Channels - Three Squirrels heavily relied on online sales, with Douyin surpassing Tmall as its primary revenue channel, contributing 2.188 billion yuan in 2024 [14]. - However, rising costs associated with online marketing severely impacted profitability, with Douyin's service fees increasing by 81.73% [14]. Brand Perception - The brand's image has deteriorated, with consumers expressing dissatisfaction over product quality and customer service, leading to a loss of loyal customers [15]. - The introduction of various sub-brands has confused consumers, shifting the brand perception from a "nut expert" to a "hygiene product seller" [15].