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惊天反转:辞职41天,宗馥莉重新启用「娃哈哈」| 深氪
36氪·2025-10-23 13:28

Core Viewpoint - The internal conflict within Wahaha has taken a significant turn, with the announcement that the "Wahaha" brand will continue to be used until 2026, contradicting the previous plan to adopt the new brand "Wawa Xiaozong" after a mere 41 days [4][10][28]. Group 1: Company Dynamics - The resignation of Zong Fuli led to a stalemate between Wahaha and the Hongsheng system, as Wahaha held the trademark but lacked production capacity, while Hongsheng could only use the new brand [6][10]. - Zong Fuli's attempts to reform Wahaha included a complete overhaul of the management structure and a significant adjustment of the distribution system, aiming to revitalize the stagnant performance of the company [10][12]. - Wahaha's revenue has remained stagnant around 50 billion since 2014, while competitors like Nongfu Spring have seen substantial growth, highlighting Wahaha's struggle to adapt to market changes [11][12]. Group 2: Ownership and Control - The ownership structure of Wahaha has been complicated, with the government of Hangzhou's Shangcheng District as the legal majority shareholder, while Zong Qinghou has been the actual controller [9][12]. - Zong Fuli's efforts to clarify ownership rights and control have faced challenges, particularly regarding the trademark rights of the Wahaha brand [13][27]. - The internal conflict has escalated, with Zong Fuli attempting to transfer employee contracts to the Hongsheng system, which has led to significant backlash from employees [22][24]. Group 3: Market Position and Strategy - The beverage market is highly competitive, and Zong Fuli's strategy to establish a new brand faces significant challenges, as distributors are reluctant to support new products [32][36]. - The historical reliance on a "joint sales system" has limited Wahaha's ability to innovate and push new products effectively, leading to a lack of growth [44][58]. - Recent data indicates a decline in sales for key products, with a 37% drop in AD Calcium Milk sales and a decrease in market share for Wahaha's purified water [60][61]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The upcoming November national distributor conference is critical for Wahaha, as the company faces challenges in securing distributor renewals amid internal conflicts [64][66]. - The company's credibility with distributors has been shaken, making it difficult to navigate the current market landscape [66][67]. - The ongoing trademark dispute and internal strife highlight the urgent need for Wahaha to stabilize its operations to ensure long-term viability [69][70].