36氪·2025-05-15 12:59Core Viewpoint - The incident involving a "bloodied" zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) from the well-known snack brand Laiyifen has cast a shadow over the zongzi market just before the Dragon Boat Festival, raising concerns about product quality and safety [3][7][10]. Company Responses - Both Laiyifen and its supplier, Wufangzhai, have responded actively to the incident, with Laiyifen promising to cover any medical expenses for consumers affected by the contaminated product and recalling the affected batch [10][11]. - Wufangzhai has stated that their internal protocols prevent injured employees from handling food directly and that they use specialized blue bandages for non-direct food contact areas [12][13]. Market Impact - The incident could negatively affect the sales of both companies during the peak zongzi season, particularly for Wufangzhai, which relies heavily on zongzi sales for revenue [15]. - In 2024, the zongzi market is expected to exceed 10 billion yuan, but competition is increasing with new brands and retailers entering the market, potentially eroding Wufangzhai's market share [16]. Financial Performance - Wufangzhai's zongzi revenue fell to 1.579 billion yuan in 2024, a decrease of 361 million yuan from the previous year, marking the lowest level since 2019 [17]. - The company's overall revenue dropped by 14.57% to 2.251 billion yuan in the previous year, representing its worst performance since it began disclosing financial results in 2018 [19]. - Laiyifen's revenue also declined by 15.25% to 3.370 billion yuan, with a net loss of 75.27 million yuan, the largest loss in its history [20]. Strategic Initiatives - Laiyifen is attempting to diversify its business by entering new markets such as sauce, sparkling water, and coffee, but these efforts have not yet yielded significant results [20]. - The company has launched a "Laiyifen 2.0" initiative to create a community lifestyle platform, expanding its product offerings beyond snacks to include prepared meals, fresh produce, and daily necessities [20][21]. - Despite ambitious growth plans, Laiyifen's store count decreased to 3,085 in 2024, down by 600 from the beginning of the year, indicating challenges in achieving its strategic goals [22][23].