三得利急了？刚预计今年净利润下降，就宣布威士忌等产品涨价

Core Viewpoint - Suntory Holdings is facing pressure on its earnings, leading to a decision to raise prices on 187 products starting April 1, 2026, following a previous price increase on 234 products in April 2023. This move is primarily driven by rising costs of raw materials and packaging [2][3]. Financial Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, Suntory reported revenue of 58.172 billion RMB, remaining flat year-on-year, while operating profit decreased by 9.2% to 5.757 billion RMB. The third-quarter profit saw a decline of 9.9% [3]. - The company has lowered its profit forecast, expecting a consolidated net profit of approximately 3.9 billion RMB for the fiscal year ending December 2025, a decrease of about 10% year-on-year [3][4]. Product Pricing Strategy - The price increase for Suntory's whiskey brands, including Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki, ranges from 5.6% to 15.3%, with high-aged products seeing significant price hikes. For instance, the suggested retail price for Hibiki 30 Year, Yamazaki 25 Year, and Hakushu 25 Year has been raised to approximately 20,777 RMB per bottle, reflecting an increase of about 2,753.5 RMB [2][3]. Market Challenges - Suntory's growth in China has been sluggish, with its beverage segment, particularly non-alcoholic drinks like Oolong tea, becoming a core focus. However, competition in the beverage market has intensified, leading to a gradual erosion of market share [5]. - The company has been overly reliant on its sugar-free tea products, and its innovation in flavors has lagged behind competitors like Nongfu Spring and Yuanqi Forest. Additionally, the relatively rigid channel structure has hindered deeper market penetration in China [5]. Management Changes - A significant management change occurred when former chairman Takashi Shina resigned on September 1 due to allegations of violating cannabis regulations. This incident has raised concerns about the company's leadership and its impact on operations [6]. Future Outlook - Following the price adjustments, there is ongoing speculation about whether Suntory's performance will improve in the coming year, with industry analysts closely monitoring the situation [7].