Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-06 21:13Core Insights - The retail industry is witnessing a significant shift towards hard discount supermarkets, driven by major players like JD, Meituan, and Hema expanding their presence in this sector [3][5][6] - The core appeal of hard discount supermarkets lies in their low prices, which cater to increasingly rational consumers who prioritize value for money [5][6] - The trend reflects a broader consumer behavior shift from impulsive to pragmatic spending, indicating a move towards "consumption grading" rather than mere consumption downgrade [6][7] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Major companies such as JD and Meituan are aggressively opening hard discount stores, with JD launching five new stores in Jiangsu and Hebei, and Meituan planning to open 1,000 stores by 2025 [3][5] - Hema's hard discount brand, Hema NB, has also expanded rapidly, with nearly 300 stores primarily in East China [5] - Traditional retail giants like Wumart and specialized players like Ole' and Lele are intensifying competition in the hard discount space [5] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are becoming more rational and less willing to pay a premium, which aligns with the hard discount model that emphasizes high quality at low prices [5][6] - The hard discount approach involves streamlining SKUs, increasing private label offerings, and reducing intermediaries to achieve cost efficiency [5][6] - There is a growing skepticism among consumers regarding the quality of low-priced goods, yet some believe that current prices may reflect more appropriate market values [7]