Guoxin Securities·2025-11-27 14:52Core Insights - The report maintains an "outperform" rating for the retail sector, highlighting the potential for recovery in consumer demand and the importance of adapting to new market conditions [1][4][10] 2025 Industry Review - In the first three quarters of 2025, China's retail sales reached 365,877 billion yuan, growing by 4.5% year-on-year, with non-automotive retail sales increasing by 4.9% [2][10] - The cosmetics sector saw a stable growth of 3.9%, while gold and jewelry sales surged by 11.5% due to low base effects and rising gold prices [2][26] - Cross-border e-commerce imports and exports amounted to approximately 2.06 trillion yuan, reflecting a growth of 6.4% despite external pressures [2][33] 2026 Outlook - New markets will be explored, including offline channel adjustments and innovations in instant retail, alongside continued overseas expansion opportunities [3][61] - New consumer demands will focus on emotional and practical value, leveraging AI and IP for product innovation [3][66] - A platform-based approach is necessary to ensure sustainable growth amid intensifying competition and shorter product life cycles [3][66] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on leading companies in beauty care, gold and jewelry, cross-border e-commerce, and offline retail, with specific recommendations for companies like Up Beauty, Chow Tai Fook, and Yonghui Superstores [4][34] - The beauty care sector is expected to benefit from product innovation and platform capabilities, while gold and jewelry companies are advised to capitalize on differentiated designs [4][45] - Cross-border e-commerce firms are projected to thrive as external tariff impacts diminish, with recommendations for companies like Anker Innovations and Focus Technology [4][54] Consumer Behavior Trends - The report notes a structural shift in consumer preferences, with a growing emphasis on emotional value and product differentiation, particularly among younger demographics [3][78] - Instant retail is identified as a significant growth area, with the market expected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2030 [3][80] Cross-Border E-commerce Insights - Cross-border e-commerce continues to show resilience, with exports to the EU growing by 8.4% while exports to the US declined by 17% due to tariff impacts [33][87] - Successful brands in overseas markets are those that effectively combine global branding with localized operational strategies [87]