重庆啤酒陷于「山城往事」

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing legal battle between Chongqing Beer and its partner Chongqing Jiawei is not merely a commercial dispute but also a significant issue regarding the survival of a national brand, "Shancheng" beer [2][4]. Group 1: Legal Dispute - The lawsuit between Chongqing Jiawei and Chongqing Beer, stemming from a contract dispute, has been ongoing for over a year and has recently reached a first-instance verdict [7][10]. - Chongqing Jiawei claims that since 2011, Chongqing Beer has breached their 20-year exclusive sales agreement, resulting in losses amounting to 632 million yuan [11][12]. - The court ruled that Chongqing Beer must pay 353 million yuan to Chongqing Jiawei, while Chongqing Beer plans to appeal this decision, citing significant errors in the judgment [13]. Group 2: Historical Context - "Shancheng" beer, a well-known brand with over 60 years of history, has seen its production and sales decline from over 100,000 tons in 2013 to less than 10,000 tons recently, according to Chongqing Jiawei [17][19]. - Chongqing Beer argues that Chongqing Jiawei has benefited excessively from the sales agreement, with profits soaring from 20 million yuan in 2008 to over 2 billion yuan in the past 15 years [21]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The Chinese beer market is highly competitive, and Chongqing Beer must address historical issues related to "Shancheng" beer while facing fierce competition [5]. - In 2023, "Shancheng" beer's sales exceeded 160,000 tons, marking a 17% increase compared to 2019, despite an overall market decline of 5.6% [22]. - The overall revenue for Chongqing Beer is projected to decline by 1.15% in 2024, with net profit expected to drop by 6.84% [31]. Group 4: Corporate Strategy - Carlsberg, as the parent company of Chongqing Beer, has historically been cautious in the Chinese market but is now focusing all resources on Chongqing Beer as its sole operational platform in China [24][29]. - The company has attempted to revitalize its brand presence through aggressive marketing strategies, including celebrity endorsements and innovative market approaches, but has not achieved sustained high growth [30].