火锅食材店是伪需求？低频消费难敌巨头碾压，8000门店如何生存？

Core Insights - The independent hot pot and barbecue ingredient stores are facing significant challenges due to competition from fresh e-commerce and comprehensive supermarkets, leading to a wave of closures and financial losses for franchisees [1][10][19] - The reliance on a single product category makes it difficult for these stores to cover operational costs, especially given the seasonal nature of hot pot and barbecue consumption [3][15] - The market has shifted away from the "small but beautiful" business model, revealing that vertical retail lacks the necessary scale and competitive strength to survive against larger players [5][7][19] Industry Challenges - The current market has around 8,000 hot pot and barbecue ingredient stores, but many franchisees are struggling to break even or turn a profit [5][10] - The competition from comprehensive supermarkets like Yonghui and Hema, which offer a full range of products, poses a significant threat to standalone stores [10][19] - The rise of fresh e-commerce platforms such as Meituan and Pinduoduo, which provide quick delivery and lower prices, further exacerbates the challenges faced by independent stores [13][38] Franchisee Struggles - Many franchisees have invested substantial capital but are left with little recourse as the underlying business model is flawed, leading to reliance on luck to weather market fluctuations [21][31] - The franchise model has been exploited by some brands, focusing more on attracting investors and franchisees rather than building a sustainable consumer-facing business [23][25] - Reports indicate that a significant percentage of franchisees, such as those from Qian Dama, are operating at a loss, highlighting the unsustainable nature of the current franchise system [31][33] Market Dynamics - The shift towards online shopping has drastically reduced foot traffic to local stores, leading to a decline in survival rates for physical retail outlets [40][42] - The perception that certain retail formats are safe has been proven incorrect, as even community stores are struggling against the convenience of online alternatives [37][38] - The overall landscape for entrepreneurship in retail has become increasingly challenging, with many aspiring business owners facing harsh realities and financial losses [42][44]