娃哈哈突然改卖“沪小娃” 娃哈哈上海公司回应！董事长宗伟：联系不上宗馥莉

Core Viewpoint - The recent launch of the "沪小娃" brand by Shanghai Wahaha Drinking Water Co., Ltd. is a response to brand authorization disputes and operational challenges faced by the company, which has historically been profitable but is now navigating significant legal and branding issues [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Shanghai Wahaha Drinking Water Co., Ltd. has been operational for over 20 years without incurring losses, generating over 120 million yuan in revenue last year, and ranking among the top three in Shanghai's bottled water market [7][8]. - The company is a subsidiary of Zhejiang Wahaha Industry Co., Ltd., which holds a 70% stake, while internal employees own approximately 30% [3][5]. Brand and Legal Issues - The "娃哈哈" brand authorization for Shanghai Wahaha has expired, leading to the company's decision to create a new brand, "沪小娃," as a means of survival [2][7]. - The company has faced legal challenges, including a recent court ruling against its representative, which complicates its operational stability [2][6]. - The Wahaha Group has initiated actions to stop the use of the "娃哈哈" brand, citing expired trademarks and potential trademark infringement [7][12]. Future Brand Strategy - There are indications that the Wahaha Group may transition to a new brand, "娃小宗," starting in 2026, as part of a broader strategy to address historical brand ownership issues [13][14][16]. - The new brand strategy is reportedly in response to the ongoing legal and operational challenges faced by the company, with the aim of maintaining market presence and compliance [14][16].