“雪糕刺客”钟薛高跌落谷底 昔日网红品牌为何不再受宠？

Core Insights - The ice cream brand Zhong Xue Gao's parent company has filed for bankruptcy due to inability to repay debts and insufficient assets, marking a significant decline from its peak sales of over 1 billion yuan [1][2] - Analysts suggest that the current Chinese consumer market has shifted towards rational consumption, making it difficult for mass consumer goods to command premium pricing without tangible quality differences [2][5] Company Analysis - Zhong Xue Gao was launched in 2018 as a "high-end Chinese ice cream" brand, achieving sales of over 1 billion yuan in 2021, but faced a dramatic decline in sales due to food safety controversies in 2022 [1][2] - The brand's strategy of high pricing (60 yuan) compared to competitors like Haagen-Dazs lacked perceived quality differentiation, leading to a loss of core customers when it introduced a lower-priced product [2][4] - The reliance on financing for market expansion has proven risky, as the market has shifted towards valuing cash flow and profitability over growth through external funding [2][5] Industry Trends - Many popular brands are experiencing similar declines, indicating a broader trend in the industry where high pricing strategies without substantial value propositions are failing [2][3] - Common marketing strategies among these brands include high pricing supported by cultural narratives, immersive experiences, and social media-driven marketing [3][4] - The lack of innovation beyond packaging and marketing, coupled with frequent quality control issues, has led to a loss of consumer trust [4][5] Recommendations for Future Brands - Successful brands must focus on four foundational elements: complete supply chain integrity, consistent high-quality output, strict food safety controls, and an evolving service system to enhance customer loyalty [5] - New consumer brands should learn from both successful and failed cases in the market, shift from reliance on financing to operational cash flow, and prioritize supply chain management over marketing hype [5]