WLY(SZ:000858) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-09 05:17Core Viewpoint - The recent price reduction by Wuliangye, known as the "King of Strong Aroma," marks its first substantial price cut in ten years, indicating significant pressure within the industry [1] Group 1: Price Reduction Mechanism - Wuliangye's official stance is that they are increasing channel support rather than reducing prices, with the actual cost to distributors dropping from 1019 yuan to approximately 900 yuan per bottle due to a 119 yuan discount per bottle [3][5] - This method of "visible support" while maintaining the official price helps preserve the brand's image while alleviating the financial burden on distributors [5] Group 2: Market Conditions - The term "price inversion" describes a situation where distributors' purchase prices exceed market selling prices, leading to losses for distributors [6] - In 2025, the market price for the eighth generation of Wuliangye dropped to as low as 810 yuan per bottle, resulting in a loss of 169 yuan per sale for distributors [6] Group 3: Industry Impact - Wuliangye's performance has significantly declined, with a 10.26% drop in revenue to 609.45 billion yuan and a 13.72% decrease in net profit to 215.11 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, marking the first negative revenue growth since 2015 [8][10] - The price reduction is seen as a necessary response to both distributor losses and the company's declining performance, indicating a shift in the entire liquor industry [10] Group 4: Industry Trends - The liquor industry is transitioning from a seller's market to a buyer's market, with consumers becoming more rational and less willing to pay inflated prices [11][13] - In the first half of 2025, over 100 large-scale liquor companies exited the market, with total production down by 5.8% and profits down by 4.93% [13] - Wuliangye's price cut may prompt competitors like Luzhou Laojiao and Yanghe to follow suit to maintain market share [13] Group 5: Future Outlook - Wuliangye's shift from inventory pressure to channel support may set a new trend in the industry, focusing on real consumer demand rather than inflated pricing [15] - The current market challenges are viewed as a necessary cleansing process, where only companies that prioritize quality and consumer needs will thrive [16] - The long-term health of the liquor industry depends on moving away from price inflation and focusing on quality and service [16]