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Core Insights - The beverage industry is facing significant challenges due to misjudgments about sales performance in 2025, leading to low sales and inventory issues [2][8] - The growth in the beverage sector has been primarily driven by the increasing popularity of larger packaging sizes, which has resulted in declining profit margins [3][12] - The investment in freezers by beverage companies has increased significantly, but this has led to higher operational costs without a corresponding increase in sales [5][7] Group 1: Sales Performance - The beverage industry experienced a small growth of around 3% in certain regions, but overall performance is expected to be negative for the year [2] - A regional manager reported only achieving 56% of their sales target due to high inventory levels and ineffective team execution [2] - The overall sales growth in the first half of the year was around 11%, indicating a sharp decline in the latter half [2] Group 2: Packaging Trends - The proportion of large packaging (1L) in the beverage market has increased from less than 30% in 2022 to a potential 70% by 2024, leading to lower profit margins [3] - Companies are shifting away from standard 1L packaging to various sizes like 900ML and 1.25L to confuse consumers about pricing [3] - Consumers are increasingly opting for fresh beverages over traditional packaged drinks, impacting sales negatively [3] Group 3: Freezer Investment - The number of freezers deployed by beverage companies has surged, with some companies increasing their freezer count by 100,000 units [5] - The operational costs associated with these freezers are rising, and the effectiveness of this strategy is being questioned as sales do not meet expectations [5][7] - Companies are advised to rationalize freezer investments and consider sharing space with other brands to reduce costs [7] Group 4: Market Challenges - The emergence of snack discount stores has been blamed for poor sales performance, but the real issue lies in the overall decline of traditional retail channels [8][10] - Many traditional small stores are closing, leading to reduced consumer foot traffic and lower beverage sales [8] - The growth of new channels like snack discount stores has not significantly improved overall sales, indicating a shift in consumer behavior [10] Group 5: Future Outlook - The beverage industry is expected to face further difficulties in 2025, with a collective decline in new product launches and market saturation [11][12] - The competition in the electrolyte water segment is intensifying, but overall market growth remains limited [14] - The challenges faced in 2025 are anticipated to be just the beginning of a more prolonged downturn for the industry [14]