华与华，给蜜雪冰城帮了倒忙？

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding Hua Yu Hua's design for the Mixue Ice City flagship store has sparked significant public debate, particularly regarding the aesthetic choices and branding strategies employed by the company [1][4][12]. Group 1: Controversy and Public Reaction - Hua Yu Hua's founder, Hua Shan, faced backlash after defending the design of the Mixue Ice City flagship store, attributing criticism to a misunderstanding of color usage [4][12]. - The flagship store in Hangzhou has drawn large crowds, shifting the focus from design criticism to the store's popularity and product offerings [4][5]. - Hua Shan's comments, which included references to Confucius and national pride, were perceived as dismissive of public opinion, leading to further criticism of both him and Hua Yu Hua [12][13]. Group 2: Marketing Impact and Brand Strategy - Hua Yu Hua played a significant role in elevating Mixue Ice City from a local brand to a national sensation through catchy advertising, such as the viral song "You Love Me, I Love You, Mixue Ice City Sweet" [5][21]. - Despite the controversy, the success of Mixue Ice City is attributed to its strategic management and product quality, rather than solely to advertising efforts [5][23]. - As Mixue Ice City expands internationally, there is a need for a rebranding strategy to avoid being associated with "low" aesthetics, especially in competitive markets like North America [6][28][34]. Group 3: International Expansion and Pricing Strategy - Mixue Ice City has opened approximately 4,700 stores in 13 countries, focusing on a low-cost pricing strategy to attract customers [28][30]. - The pricing of Mixue Ice City's products in the U.S. ranges from $1.19 to $4.99, significantly lower than competitors like Starbucks, which charges nearly $6 for a latte [30][31]. - However, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of this pricing model in the North American market, where consumer expectations and competition are evolving [32][34].