不是年轻人嫌弃“老登”,是时代在出清“老登”
虎嗅APP·2025-12-12 09:32

Core Viewpoint - The term "Old Deng" has become a widely recognized label in various sectors, indicating traditional industries and brands that are perceived as outdated or lacking innovation, particularly among younger consumers [5][10]. Group 1: Characteristics of "Old Deng" Brands - "Old Deng" brands are typically from traditional industries with low technological content, heavily reliant on channel construction and often family-owned, maintaining strong ties with political and business relationships [5][10]. - The essence of "Old Deng" consumption focuses on "preservation of value," with products like Moutai liquor, fuel vehicles, luxury goods, and cultural artifacts being favored, reflecting a preference for stability and understated sophistication [5][10]. - Brands that have been labeled as "Old Deng" often fail to resonate with younger consumers due to a lack of empowerment in decision-making during social drinking scenarios, leading to a negative perception of products like liquor [8][9]. Group 2: Evolution of Brands - The phenomenon of "brand aging" occurs as consumer demographics shift, with brands that were once popular among older generations losing appeal to younger consumers, exemplified by the transition of Hai Lan's Home from a trendy brand to one associated with older generations [17][18]. - The historical context of brands shows that many successful companies emerged during the rapid urbanization of the 1990s, capitalizing on the economic boom, but they now face the risk of becoming "Old Deng" as consumer preferences evolve [22][24]. - The case of Gome and its founder Huang Guangyu illustrates how a once-innovative business can struggle to adapt to changing market conditions after a significant period of absence from the industry [28][30]. Group 3: The Future of "Middle Deng" Companies - Current "Middle Deng" companies, which have validated their business models and possess strong cash flows, face the challenge of avoiding the "Old Deng" label as they struggle to innovate and grow user bases [35][36]. - Companies like Alibaba and Baidu are at risk of becoming "Old Deng" as their core businesses mature, but their ventures into AI and other emerging technologies provide opportunities to remain relevant [36][39]. - The ongoing technological advancements in areas such as drones, robotics, and AI suggest that companies maintaining their innovative spirit are less likely to transition into the "Old Deng" category [39].