Core Viewpoint - The rise of installment shopping malls is seen as a new direction for many lending platforms after regulatory crackdowns on previous high-interest lending models. However, significant price premiums on products have been reported, leading to consumer costs that far exceed market levels [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Multiple lending platforms, including Xiaoxiang Youpin, Yangxiaomiao, and Taoduoduo, are entering the installment shopping mall business, which has gained public attention due to concentrated complaints [2]. - High liquidity products like iPhones and premium liquor are commonly sold at these malls, often at prices significantly above market rates. For instance, an iPhone 17 Pro is priced at 18,000 yuan in installments, while the same product costs only 14,000 yuan on mainstream e-commerce platforms, showing a price difference of over 4,000 yuan [2]. - The industry is shifting towards installment malls as a response to stricter regulations and pressure on traditional lending models, with many platforms actively researching and implementing this business model [3][4]. Group 2: Pricing and Profitability - There is a widespread phenomenon of price premiums in installment malls, with some platforms charging significantly more than competitors. For example, a well-known liquor brand is priced at 1,752 yuan in installments on one platform, compared to 1,364 yuan on a leading e-commerce site [2]. - Platforms are also using membership services to indirectly increase profits, such as Xiaoxiang Youpin's "Plus Platinum Membership," which charges a monthly fee for reduced service fees during installments [3]. - The average gross margin for platforms like Yangxiaomiao has remained high, with reported margins of 88.1% in 2022 and projected to reach 96.7% in the first five months of 2025 [10]. Group 3: Compliance and Regulatory Challenges - The industry faces significant compliance challenges, as high pricing models may be interpreted as disguised lending practices. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, and platforms must ensure that product pricing aligns closely with market levels to avoid complaints and regulatory action [1][4][15]. - The emergence of a hidden recovery chain, where third-party recovery agents contact consumers post-purchase, raises concerns about consumer privacy and the potential for facilitating cash-out transactions [6][7]. - Legal precedents are beginning to challenge high-price installment models, with courts ruling against platforms that impose excessive fees on overpriced products, indicating a need for compliance-focused business designs [15].
“分期商城”暗藏高息套现风险，有的实际融资成本超60%