TOP TOY：成于渠道，困于渠道

Core Insights - TOP TOY, a潮玩 brand under Miniso, has submitted its prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to raise approximately $300 million [1] - The brand has experienced rapid expansion in the潮玩 market since its establishment in 2020, positioning itself as a "潮玩聚集地" [1][2] - Despite impressive revenue growth, TOP TOY faces challenges in maintaining its expansion rate and profitability due to reliance on external IPs and a franchise model [8][12] Company Overview - TOP TOY was founded in 2020 and has quickly grown to become a significant player in the潮玩 market, which is projected to grow from RMB 207 billion in 2019 to RMB 587 billion by 2024, with a CAGR of 23.2% [1][2] - The company reported a revenue of RMB 19.09 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 30.64% [2][5] - The product range includes self-developed and externally sourced IPs, with a focus on figures, 3D models, and plush toys [1][4] Market Position and Growth - TOP TOY's store count increased from 117 in 2022 to 293 by mid-2025, with a notable rise in franchise stores [2][4] - However, the growth in store numbers has not translated into proportional revenue growth, indicating a potential slowdown in expansion [2][4] - The company’s revenue structure shows that潮玩 product sales account for approximately 97% of total income, with distributors contributing nearly 50% of revenue [4][5] Profitability and Financial Performance - TOP TOY achieved profitability in 2023, with net profits of RMB 2.97 billion in 2024 and RMB 1.8 billion in the first half of 2025, resulting in a net profit margin of about 13.2% [5][8] - The gross margin has been relatively low, ranging from 28% to 30%, primarily due to the franchise model and reliance on external IPs [4][5] IP Strategy and Challenges - The company has a significant number of licensed IPs but lacks strong self-developed IPs, which limits its competitive edge in the market [8][12] - The reliance on external IPs poses risks such as rising licensing costs and potential expiration of contracts, which could impact long-term growth [8][12] - TOP TOY is investing in developing its own IPs, having acquired stakes in companies to enhance its IP portfolio [11][12] Channel Structure and Future Outlook - The current channel structure is heavily reliant on distributors and franchisees, with over 50% of revenue coming from this model [13][15] - The company aims to reduce dependency on its parent company’s distribution channels to enhance brand identity and market presence [17] - Future plans include expanding the store count to 380-400 by the end of the year and targeting 1,000 stores globally within five years [17]