Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by snack brands like Three Squirrels in the e-commerce era, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences towards "bulk snack stores" and the impact of rising competition and costs in the online market [4][9][12]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The snack industry has low entry barriers but is highly fragmented, with the top five companies holding only 5.9% market share [8]. - The rise of bulk snack stores has significantly changed the competitive landscape, with these stores capturing 37% of the market share in 2024, surpassing e-commerce and supermarkets [13][15]. - The average profit margin in the snack industry is around 5%, making it sensitive to rising costs and competition [11]. Group 2: Company Performance - Three Squirrels has seen a decline in profitability, with net profit dropping from 411 million to 129 million in 2022 [9]. - The company has shifted its focus back to e-commerce, particularly on platforms like Douyin, which now accounts for 26.98% of its revenue [11]. - Despite the challenges, Three Squirrels remains a significant player, but its growth has stagnated, with revenue increasing without corresponding profit growth [6][9]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The emergence of bulk snack stores has led to a price war, with these stores offering products at prices 20%-75% lower than supermarkets and 7%-59% lower than e-commerce [18][20]. - The rapid expansion of bulk snack stores, such as "Mingming Very Busy," has resulted in over 40,000 locations across China, with a significant number of stores located in lower-tier cities [15][22]. - The competition between bulk snack store brands has intensified, leading to aggressive marketing strategies and store openings in close proximity to competitors [30]. Group 4: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly drawn to lower-priced options, leading to a decline in brand loyalty among traditional snack brands [8][26]. - The rise of private label and lesser-known brands in bulk snack stores has contributed to the profitability of these stores, with private label products accounting for 60-65% of their inventory [26][30]. - The shift in consumer preferences towards bulk purchasing and lower prices has created a challenging environment for established snack brands [23][30].