一年卖十亿的“顶流网红”，要破产了？

Core Viewpoint - The rise and fall of the popular ice cream brand Zhong Xue Gao reflects the challenges faced by internet celebrity food brands in achieving sustainable development in a competitive market [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Zhong Xue Gao, founded in March 2018, capitalized on the consumer upgrade trend by positioning itself as a high-end brand of "Chinese ice cream" with a focus on high-quality ingredients and unique flavors [4][6]. - The brand's rapid growth was marked by significant sales milestones, including reaching over 1 billion yuan in revenue in 2021 [6]. Group 2: Recent Challenges - Recently, Zhong Xue Gao's subsidiary, Zhong Mao (Shanghai) Food Technology Co., Ltd., was applied for bankruptcy due to its inability to repay debts and lack of solvency [3]. - Negative events in 2022, such as the "ice cream assassin" controversy, severely damaged the brand's image and consumer trust, leading to a decline in sales [7][8]. Group 3: Marketing and Sales Strategy - Zhong Xue Gao's marketing strategy included a strong online presence through partnerships with e-commerce platforms like Tmall and JD, as well as leveraging social media for targeted marketing [5][6]. - The brand attempted to expand its offline presence by opening experience stores and launching promotional campaigns, but faced high operational costs and challenges in inventory management [7]. Group 4: Lessons for the Industry - The case of Zhong Xue Gao highlights the importance of product quality, continuous innovation, and effective brand positioning for high-priced food brands to maintain consumer trust and market presence [9][10]. - Successful brands must also focus on building a strong brand narrative, utilizing effective packaging design, and integrating online and offline sales channels to enhance consumer experience [11][12].