HAIDILAO(HK:06862) 3 6 Ke·2025-12-23 10:12Core Insights - The small hot pot market is experiencing significant growth driven by consumer demand for cost-effective dining options, with search interest for "small hot pot" increasing from under 500,000 in early 2024 to approximately 1.5 million by November 2025 [1][2] - Major restaurant brands are entering the small hot pot segment, with companies like Haidilao and Xinrongji launching new products and acquiring existing brands to enhance their market presence [2][3] Industry Trends - The small hot pot market is projected to reach a scale of 400 billion yuan by 2025, with a year-on-year growth rate of 14% [7] - The report indicates that the hot pot market overall is expected to grow to 6.5 trillion yuan by 2025, highlighting the importance of small hot pots as a significant sub-sector [7] Competitive Landscape - Haidilao has acquired the self-service small hot pot brand Jugaogao, emphasizing the importance of high cost-performance in its strategy [2] - Xinrongji has reintroduced its small hot pot offerings in cities like Beijing and Xi'an, focusing on premium seafood and goat meat packages priced at 398 yuan per person [3] - Other brands, such as Qingfeng Baozipu and Yang Guofu, are also entering the small hot pot market with competitive pricing and unique offerings [3] Quality Focus - Brands are increasingly emphasizing quality in their offerings, with examples like Yiwei Feiniu Hot Pot promising 100% authentic beef sourced from various countries [5] - Weila Hot Pot is focusing on fresh ingredients, ensuring daily preparation of its menu items to maintain quality [7] - Innovations in broth options are also being pursued, with brands introducing diverse flavors to differentiate themselves in the market [7][8] Challenges and Opportunities - Despite rapid growth, the small hot pot sector faces challenges related to product homogeneity, prompting the need for innovation in ingredients, broth flavors, and branding strategies [8] - The industry is encouraged to enhance brand recognition through storytelling, store design, and packaging, while also improving product quality through supply chain management [8]