Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent listing of Baima Tea on the Hong Kong stock market, highlighting the challenges faced by domestic tea companies and the search for new growth opportunities in the evolving market landscape [3][4]. Company Overview - Baima Tea, founded in 1997, is a leading tea supplier and chain store brand in China, with a product range that includes Oolong, black, and red teas. As of mid-2023, it operates 3,585 stores nationwide, with 3,341 being franchise outlets [5]. - Other listed tea companies include Lancang Ancient Tea, which focuses on Pu'er tea, and Tianfu, which sells various tea types. Both companies primarily rely on physical stores for sales [6]. Market Challenges - The tea retail market has faced declining sales, with Lancang Ancient Tea and Tianfu reporting revenue drops due to a sluggish consumer market and increased competition from e-commerce and private label products. Lancang Ancient Tea's revenue fell to 360 million yuan in 2024, a 31.48% decrease, while Tianfu's revenue was 1.56 billion yuan, down 9.89% [6][7]. - Baima Tea's revenue and net profit have been growing, with 2024 figures showing revenue of 2.143 billion yuan and a net profit of 224 million yuan, although it experienced a decline in the first half of 2025 [7]. Industry Growth Potential - The overall Chinese tea market is projected to grow from 288.9 billion yuan in 2020 to 325.8 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3%. By 2029, the market is expected to reach 407.9 billion yuan [10]. - Despite the presence of well-known brands, the market share of listed companies remains low, with the combined revenue of Baima Tea, Lancang Ancient Tea, and Tianfu accounting for only 1.2% of the total tea market in 2024 [10]. New Growth Opportunities - Tea companies are exploring new sales channels, particularly e-commerce, to reduce reliance on traditional offline sales. Baima Tea's online sales accounted for 23.6% of its revenue in 2024 [11]. - The rise of new tea beverage brands and the growing demand for ready-to-drink and sugar-free tea products present additional growth avenues for established tea brands [11]. - Industry experts suggest that tea brands should leverage new marketing strategies to establish standards and build brand recognition among younger consumers [12].
传统茶叶门店遇冷