Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-13 09:42Core Viewpoint - The retail industry, particularly shopping malls, is facing a significant decline, with many well-known brands closing stores due to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics [1][5][23] Group 1: Store Closures - Beijing Baisheng, the first store of Baisheng Group in mainland China, will close by the end of the year, marking the end of an era [1] - A large number of stores are expected to close by mid-2025, including 227 stores from Yonghui, 88 from Jiumaojiu Group, and 4 from Bubugao, indicating a rapid increase in closure rates in the supermarket and restaurant sectors [3] - Major retailers like Walmart, Yonghui, and Starbucks have also been part of the store closure trend over the past two years, raising questions about the diminishing appeal of shopping malls [5] Group 2: Changing Consumer Behavior - Shopping malls, once central to consumer spending due to their ability to provide a one-stop shopping experience, are losing relevance due to the rise of instant retail, which offers quick delivery of fresh produce and daily necessities [7] - New shopping channels, such as specialty snack stores and discount brand stores, are expanding rapidly, further constraining the survival space of traditional malls [9] - Consumers are becoming more rational in their spending, focusing on value for money, which clashes with the traditional mall model that often lacks differentiation [9][11] Group 3: Operational Challenges - Many malls rely on a brand consignment model, limiting their control over products, inventory, and pricing, making it difficult to adapt to market changes [11] - Aging infrastructure in many malls, combined with high rental costs and maintenance expenses, is creating significant financial pressure as long-term leases expire [13][15] - Baisheng faces a penalty of 11.7 million yuan for closing its store, while Yonghui incurs losses of 827 million yuan from lease compensation and asset write-offs, forcing them to close underperforming stores to mitigate losses [15] Group 4: Opportunities for Transformation - Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for malls to transform, as exemplified by Nanjing's Deji Plaza, which has successfully integrated unique brands and experiential elements to attract diverse consumers [17][19] - The key to overcoming the current crisis lies in adopting an "experiential and differentiated" approach, moving beyond traditional retail models [19] - The current wave of store closures is seen as a necessary industry cleansing process, shifting focus from expansion to improving operational efficiency [21][23]