清仓甩卖、货架空空……万宁闭店前夜，谁在抢购“最后的港妆”？

Core Viewpoint - The exit of Mannings from the mainland market reflects the challenges faced by Hong Kong retail brands in China, following the similar departure of SaSa International, highlighting a significant shift in the retail landscape due to various pressures including e-commerce competition and high operational costs [3][12][18]. Group 1: Company Developments - Mannings has officially announced the closure of all its offline stores and online operations in mainland China, with the last offline store set to close on January 15, 2026, and online services ceasing earlier on December 28, 2023 [6][11]. - At its peak, Mannings operated over 200 stores across 33 cities in mainland China, but as of now, only 13 stores remain operational, primarily located in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, and Jiangmen [8][9]. - The store closures have led to significant discounts and clearance sales, with many top brand products already removed from shelves as the company prepares to wind down operations [7][10]. Group 2: Market Context - The performance of other Hong Kong retail brands, such as Watsons, is also declining, with profits dropping for several consecutive years and a reduction in store numbers from 4,179 in 2021 to 3,630 by mid-2025 [4][15]. - Watsons has faced quality issues with its self-branded products, leading to consumer complaints and damaging brand trust, further complicating its market position [4][15]. - The competitive landscape for retail in mainland China is becoming increasingly challenging, with established e-commerce platforms like Tmall and JD.com dominating the market, making it difficult for traditional retailers to maintain their foothold [11][18]. Group 3: Strategic Challenges - Mannings attempted to differentiate itself through a focus on health and beauty products, including the presence of pharmacists in stores, but failed to establish a strong competitive advantage compared to Watsons [9][18]. - The lack of transparency in Mannings' financial reporting regarding its mainland operations has obscured its performance metrics, indicating ongoing struggles in meeting market expectations [9]. - The shift to cross-border e-commerce is fraught with challenges, including the need for significant investment to build consumer trust amidst issues like counterfeit products and logistics [11][18].