养生成为快消品,诚意便成了稀缺品
3 6 Ke·2026-01-15 13:36

Core Insights - The concept of Chinese herbal health drinks has gained significant traction in 2023, becoming a notable presence on beverage shelves, particularly among younger consumers seeking quick health solutions amidst a fast-paced lifestyle [1] - The market for these drinks is expected to explode by 2025, attracting major beverage companies and traditional medicine brands, leading to intense competition across product offerings, distribution channels, and consumer perceptions [2] Market Dynamics - The rise of sugar-free tea drinks has contributed to the popularity of Chinese herbal health drinks, with sugar-free tea sales exceeding 10 billion yuan in 2023 and a 113% growth in offline sales from June 2023 to May 2024 [2] - However, the sugar-free tea trend has shown signs of stagnation, prompting many entrepreneurs to pivot towards developing Chinese herbal health drinks, leveraging traditional ingredients like red beans and goji berries [2][4] Competitive Landscape - The market is characterized by three main factions: 1. KA Brands: Established brands like Yuanqi Forest and Kang Shifu leverage strong distribution networks and marketing resources to rapidly iterate products and capture market share [5] 2. Platform Customization: Retailers like Hema and Sam's Club utilize consumer data to create tailored products that meet specific health needs, establishing competitive barriers [6] 3. New Forces: Traditional medicine companies emphasize authenticity and visible ingredients, aiming to build trust through high-quality, functional products [6] Challenges and Concerns - A significant challenge facing the industry is the lack of innovation and increasing product homogeneity, with many brands offering similar formulations, leading to consumer fatigue [7] - The absence of clear industry standards raises concerns about the efficacy and safety of these drinks, as many products only adhere to general "plant beverage" regulations [7][8] Supply Chain and Production - Approximately 80% of Chinese herbal health drink brands rely on contract manufacturing, which can lead to inconsistencies in product quality as brands scale [9] - Leading brands are moving towards vertical integration of their supply chains to ensure quality control, with many investing in their own production facilities [9] Future Directions - The competition is evolving from product-centric battles to deeper challenges involving supply chain management, brand storytelling, and consumer experience [18] - Potential future pathways include becoming lifestyle benchmarks similar to "Eslite Bookstore," expanding brand influence beyond products through cultural and experiential offerings [19]