吃个水果还要被教育？百果园董事长余惠勇言论引质疑，恐步钟薛高后尘

Core Viewpoint - The chairman of Baiguoyuan, Yu Huiyong, sparked controversy with his statement that the company will not cater to consumers but instead educate them, leading to a significant drop in the company's stock price [1][3]. Company Summary - Baiguoyuan's stock price fell by as much as 7% following the chairman's remarks, with a slight recovery to a 0.5% decline at the time of reporting [1]. - The company is facing a trust crisis, with a reported revenue of 10.273 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year decline of 9.8%, and a net loss of 386 million yuan [3]. - The number of Baiguoyuan stores decreased by 966 within a year, averaging 2.64 closures per day [3]. - The company's "three no-return" policy (no receipt, no physical item, no reason for return) has been criticized, revealing issues with quality control and the burden of return costs on franchisees [3]. Industry Summary - The Chinese fruit retail market is highly competitive, with the rise of community group buying and fresh e-commerce platforms like Meituan and Duoduo, which offer rapid delivery and lower prices [4]. - Young consumers prioritize cost-effectiveness over premium narratives, leading to a shift away from high-priced products like those offered by Baiguoyuan [4]. - Baiguoyuan's strategy to position itself as a "high-quality fruit expert" is contradictory, as it attempts to cut franchise fees while simultaneously launching promotional activities that lower prices [4]. - The failure of brands like Zhong Xue Gao serves as a warning that without quality and emotional resonance, high prices can backfire [5].