县城消费崛起：山姆抢滩超级县，国际酒店品牌布局小县城

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rapid growth of county-level consumption in China, driven by economic development and improved infrastructure, with major brands expanding into these markets to capture emerging opportunities [3][5]. Group 1: County-Level Market Expansion - Major brands, including Sam's Club, are increasingly targeting county-level cities as urban markets become saturated, with Sam's Club opening its fourth store in Suzhou, specifically in Zhangjiagang [3][6]. - The article notes that there are five counties in China with GDP exceeding 300 billion, referred to as the "Four Little Dragons of Southern Jiangsu" and Jinjiang in Fujian, indicating strong economic potential in these regions [4]. - The county-level market's share of total retail sales has increased, with the first three quarters showing a 38.8% contribution to social retail sales, up by 0.1 percentage points from earlier in the year [5]. Group 2: Brand Strategies in County Markets - International hotel brands like Hilton and Marriott are expanding into county markets, capitalizing on the growing demand for high-quality accommodations driven by tourism and local attractions [6][7]. - Starbucks has reached a total of 7,758 stores in China, covering over 1,000 county-level markets, indicating a strategic push into lower-tier cities [6]. - The cinema industry is also expanding in county markets, with Jiangyin being the first county-level city in Jiangsu to achieve full digital cinema coverage, showcasing the growing entertainment infrastructure [6]. Group 3: Economic and Social Factors - The article emphasizes that county cities are becoming important hubs for rural revitalization, attracting high-quality brands that enhance local consumer appeal and investment environments [7]. - As county economies grow, they offer lower costs of living and business operations compared to larger cities, making them attractive for new investments [7]. - The improvement in education and healthcare resources in county cities is contributing to population growth and urban expansion, further driving local consumption [7].