Core Insights - The traditional luxury brand marketing strategy in China is losing effectiveness, as consumers shift towards seeking deeper, personalized experiences rather than material possessions [2][4] - LVMH's market value has halved by 43.5%, equating to a loss of $94.4 billion over two years, and Bain & Company predicts a 2%-5% decline in global luxury sales by 2025, marking the largest drop in nearly a decade [2][9] - The rise of experience-based consumption is redefining spending habits, with consumers prioritizing unique experiences over luxury goods [4][14] Consumer Behavior Shift - Consumers are moving from a mindset of showcasing wealth to one focused on personal fulfillment and identity [4][11] - Social media trends are shifting from showcasing luxury items to sharing experiences such as travel and outdoor activities, reflecting a broader cultural change [5][9] - The Z generation values experiences that contribute to content creation and social currency over traditional luxury goods [11][12] Market Dynamics - The luxury market is experiencing a significant contraction, with the number of global luxury consumers decreasing from approximately 400 million to 350 million, particularly affecting price-sensitive entry-level consumers [9][12] - Gucci's sales dropped by 23% in 2024, highlighting the challenges luxury brands face in adapting their marketing strategies to current consumer expectations [6][8] Experience Economy - The experience economy is projected to be a multi-trillion-dollar market, with China's experience retail market expected to reach 800 billion yuan by 2025 [9][14] - Luxury brands are beginning to adopt a "product + experience" model, integrating high-end experiences with product offerings to create a more compelling value proposition [14][15] - Successful experience-based offerings require authenticity and alignment with brand values to avoid becoming mere marketing gimmicks [14][15] Challenges for Luxury Brands - Luxury brands are struggling with a disconnect between their traditional marketing strategies and the evolving consumer landscape, leading to a decline in brand loyalty and sales [8][12] - The reliance on symbolic marketing and frequent price increases has eroded consumer trust and alienated younger consumers [8][9] - The challenge lies in balancing brand heritage with innovative experiences, as luxury brands navigate the complexities of digital transformation and changing consumer preferences [15][16]

Group 1 - The core event is the collaboration between Suning.com and Hisense to launch the "99 Shopping Festival," which aims to invigorate home appliance consumption through customized products and interactive experiences [3][5] - The festival features innovative activities such as esports challenges, live sports broadcasts, and interactive talk shows, integrating new trends in home appliances into real-life scenarios for consumer engagement [3][5] - New products launched during the festival include the laser eye protection TV model 92 S1 Pro, anti-glare gaming TV U66Q series, and the innovative air conditioner Ningxin Pro X510, addressing the pain points of Generation Z consumers [3][5] Group 2 - The "99 Shopping Festival" has entered a full-scale promotion phase, offering significant discounts, live streaming coupons, and double points rewards, along with interactive challenges for consumers [5] - Suning.com is enhancing its retail service strategy, transitioning from simply selling home appliances to creating customized home scenarios, with stores replicating living spaces for immersive product experiences [5] - Future plans include continued collaboration with leading brands to develop user-centered living scenarios, allowing consumers to experience new lifestyles while shopping [5]

Core Viewpoint - The domestic service consumption market is undergoing structural changes by 2025, with offline retail, AI applications, and experiential consumption becoming the focal points for investment. The overall growth rate of commodity consumption is slowing, while the service consumption sector shows greater resilience and vitality [1]. Group 1: Offline Retail Restructuring - Instant retail and local life platforms are rapidly developing, leading to accelerated industry consolidation. Major platforms like Meituan, Alibaba, and JD.com are heavily investing in offline retail and delivery channels, creating a new ecosystem of online and offline integration. By 2024, Meituan's instant retail orders are expected to exceed 150 million, with both rider volume and revenue experiencing growth [2]. - The restaurant industry's chain rate continues to rise, with leading companies expanding their market share. By 2024, China's restaurant chain rate is projected to reach 23%, with the mass convenience restaurant market size around 4 trillion yuan. The segment with a customer price of 50-100 yuan is expected to surpass 3.4 trillion yuan by 2028 [2]. - The hotel sector is also undergoing a brand reshuffle, with Huazhu Group operating 12,137 stores and Atour Hotels exceeding 1,800 stores. Mid-to-high-end brands are increasing their market share through continuous upgrades and expansion into lower-tier markets [3]. Group 2: Acceleration of AI Applications - The application of artificial intelligence in the social service industry is advancing. For instance, Keri International's "He Wa" platform operated over 37,000 job postings in the first half of the year, with more than 200,000 recommendations, continuously upgrading its AI recruitment functions [4]. - In the education sector, policies are becoming clearer, with Tianli International Education developing AI companion products deployed in 107 schools nationwide, serving over 250,000 teachers and students, thus promoting digital transformation in K12 and vocational education [4]. - The exhibition industry is also benefiting from AI, with companies like Miao Exhibition leading the way with comprehensive AI exhibition solutions, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in terms of the number of countries, exhibitions, and booth sizes [4]. Group 3: High Prosperity of Experiential Consumption - The cultural tourism and sports industries are core beneficiaries of experiential consumption. In the first half of 2025, domestic travel reached 3.285 billion trips, a year-on-year increase of 20.6%, with total tourism expenditure at 3.15 trillion yuan. Scenic spots like Changbai Mountain and Jiuhua Mountain have seen revenues recover and exceed 2019 levels [5]. - The sports industry is experiencing significant spending increases, with high demand for events, training, and fitness services. Companies like Keep, Inpai, and Lisheng Sports are performing exceptionally well. Emerging demands from lower-tier markets and the elderly population are creating new growth points for service-oriented consumption in cultural tourism and sports [5]. - The report highlights three investment lines in the service consumption sector: offline retail restructuring, AI applications enhancing service efficiency, and the high prosperity of experiential consumption, with companies like Meituan, Alibaba, JD.com, Huazhu Group, and Keep being key focuses [5].

Group 1 - The Hong Kong stock market opened higher on September 5, with the Hang Seng Index rising by 0.31% and the Hang Seng Tech Index increasing by 0.42%, driven by strong performance in the technology and new energy sectors [1] - The latest "Automobile Consumption Index" released by the China Automobile Dealers Association indicates that the index for August 2025 is 83.3, higher than the previous month, with expectations for September automobile sales to exceed those of August [1] - September marks the peak season for automobile consumption, driven by wedding and school seasons, as well as increased demand for self-driving trips during the National Day holiday [1] Group 2 - Huachuang Securities reports that the domestic consumption market is entering a new phase characterized by slowing product growth and ongoing service prosperity, with trends focusing on quality-price ratio, emotional value, and overseas expansion, alongside AI applications driving product transformation and efficiency [1] - The current investment themes in the service industry include: 1) Restructuring of offline formats, with supply chain maturity becoming key to success in chain consumption [1] 2) Implementation of AI applications across various scenarios [1] 3) High demand for experiential consumption, particularly in sectors like cultural tourism and sports [1] Group 3 - The Hong Kong Consumption ETF (513230) tracks the CSI Hong Kong Stock Connect Consumption Theme Index, encompassing leading companies in internet e-commerce and new consumption, including Pop Mart, Lao Pu Gold, and Miniso, as well as tech giants like Tencent, Kuaishou, Alibaba, and Xiaomi, highlighting a strong tech-consumption attribute [2]

Core Viewpoint - The domestic consumption market is entering a new phase characterized by slowing product growth and ongoing prosperity in services, with trends such as value-for-money, emotional value, and overseas expansion emerging as key themes [1] Demand Side - Service consumption is overall prosperous, with value-for-money, emotional value, and overseas expansion becoming new trends. The domestic consumption market is experiencing a slowdown in product growth, while service consumption is being emphasized as a crucial driver for overall market growth [1] - Changes in income expectations and generational shifts among consumers are leading to a heightened focus on cost-effectiveness, while also driving demand towards more segmented offerings [1] - The "Guochao" (national trend) brands, which leverage local creativity, are gaining favor among domestic consumers and are expected to lead in establishing brand recognition in overseas markets [1] Supply Side - Offline consumption is accelerating towards chain operations, with local life and comprehensive e-commerce platforms enhancing fulfillment capabilities and deepening integration with offline consumption scenarios [2] - Leading chain dining enterprises are increasingly focusing on vertical integration within their supply chains, while competition is also driven by product-oriented strategies that emphasize differentiated scenarios, services, and content IP [2] - The application of AI is providing new momentum for product transformation and efficiency improvements in sectors such as enterprise services and education [2] Business Models - Service consumption reflects a deep integration of scenarios and services, leading to the emergence of different business models based on the complexity of service content and scenarios [3] - Three main business models are identified: 1. Chain operations focused on organizational efficiency and overall supply chain efficiency 2. Complex standalone operations centered around scarce scenarios and intricate service content 3. Service distribution and empowerment platforms leveraging traffic, scale, and technological advantages [3] - The industry is expected to undergo a reshuffling, with leading companies emerging that can solidify their barriers and potentially navigate through economic cycles [3]

Group 1 - The report highlights the structural prosperity of service consumption within the overall consumption landscape, indicating that while overall consumption growth is slowing, service-related consumption is on the rise, with service sector PMI consistently outperforming manufacturing PMI [12][20][23] - The demand side is characterized by three new trends: price-performance ratio, emotional value, and overseas expansion, with the price-performance ratio expected to be a key driver in the Chinese consumption sector [20][23][30] - Emotional and experiential consumption is becoming a focal point for consumers, with the emotional economy projected to reach 23.1 trillion yuan in 2024, indicating a strong demand for content and experience-driven products [23][27] Group 2 - The supply side is witnessing accelerated chain store development and integration of supply chains, with offline consumption becoming increasingly standardized and efficient, particularly in the beverage and hotel sectors [36][41] - Instant retail is identified as a significant growth area for consumption internet platforms, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 20% from 2024 to 2026, indicating a shift towards integrating online and offline retail [60][66] - The report emphasizes the importance of supply chain capabilities in the restaurant and beverage sectors, with stronger supply chain management expected to lead to increased market concentration and competitive advantages for leading brands [52][53] Group 3 - The report identifies three main investment themes: the reshaping of offline business models, the application of AI to enhance service efficiency, and the high demand for experiential consumption in tourism and sports [7][8][54] - In the offline business model reshaping, companies like Meituan, Alibaba, and JD.com are recommended for their roles in the rapid growth of instant retail and their strategic expansions into offline retail [8][60][78] - The application of AI is seen as a transformative force across various sectors, enhancing efficiency in human resources, education, and exhibition services, with companies like Keri International recommended for investment [54][54]

Group 1 - The "romantic economy" combined with the back-to-school season is boosting the summer travel market, particularly for the upcoming Qixi Festival in 2025 [1] - High-quality hotel bookings are experiencing a nearly 40% year-on-year increase on Qixi Festival, with themed hotel packages and unique room types being particularly popular [2] - The user demographic for hotel bookings on Qixi Festival shows that nearly 70% are from the post-90s and post-00s generations, with male users favoring audiovisual rooms and female users preferring family rooms and cost-effective packages [2] Group 2 - Flight bookings for destinations like Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are seeing a 15% week-on-week increase on Qixi Festival, driven by the need for couples in long-distance relationships to meet [3] - Major cultural and sporting events, such as the 2025 Ping Pong Super League and the Urumqi Marathon, are contributing to the rise in long-distance travel during this period [3] - Traditional cultural attractions are also seeing a significant increase in bookings, with a 52% week-on-week rise for cultural sites and a 79% increase for night tour products from August 29 to 31 [3] Group 3 - Various scenic spots are launching themed activities for Qixi Festival, such as the "Jin Yi Night Walk" event in Luozhi Ancient Town, which includes tickets, accommodation, and dining [4] - Other locations like Wuzhen and Luoyang are also offering diverse Qixi-themed events to attract visitors [4]

Core Insights - The Chinese consumption pattern is shifting towards a balanced focus on both goods and services consumption, with the Ministry of Commerce planning to introduce policies to expand service consumption in September [2][3][4] - Service retail sales increased by 5.2% year-on-year from January to July, indicating a growing importance of service and experience consumption in the economy [3][4] - By 2024, per capita service consumption expenditure is expected to account for 46.1% of total per capita consumption expenditure, contributing 63% to the growth of resident consumption expenditure [3][4] Service Consumption Growth - The service sector is identified as a key area for boosting consumption, with potential to enhance both life services and productive services, thereby optimizing industrial structure and increasing the value added by services [4][5] - Service consumption is directly linked to improving people's livelihoods, particularly in sectors like elderly care, healthcare, and childcare, which enhances overall happiness [4][5] - The service sector is projected to account for 48.8% of total employment in China by 2024, with significant growth in employment in hospitality, residential services, and cultural entertainment sectors [4][5] Policy Measures and Openings - The Ministry of Commerce aims to address the issue of insufficient high-quality service supply by increasing openness and reducing restrictions, particularly in telecommunications, healthcare, and education [5][6] - The introduction of more service sectors into the "Encouraging Foreign Investment Industry Directory" is expected to enhance the quality of service supply and stimulate market vitality [5][6] - Financial and fiscal incentives will be utilized to boost service consumption demand, alongside reducing restrictive policies to invigorate the service industry [6][7] Innovation and New Consumption Scenarios - High-quality, diversified, and composite innovative scenarios are crucial for enhancing service consumption [7] - The Ministry of Commerce will support the development of new consumption formats and scenarios, promoting integration across various sectors such as tourism, culture, and sports [7][8] - The upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in 2025 will showcase over 190 new service trade achievements and is expected to further promote the import of high-quality services [8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [2][9]. Core Insights - In Q2 2025, the company achieved revenue of 4.669 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.0%, and an adjusted net profit of 775 million yuan, up 18.0% year-on-year. The adjusted net profit margin improved to 16.6% from 15.5% in the same period last year [2][6]. - The company's core OTA business is experiencing steady growth, with significant contributions from hotel management. In Q2, accommodation revenue reached 1.371 billion yuan (+15.2%), transportation revenue was 1.881 billion yuan (+7.9%), and other revenue was 755 million yuan (+27.5%) [6][9]. - The company is expected to see revenue growth of 19.685 billion yuan, 22.668 billion yuan, and 26.018 billion yuan for the years 2025 to 2027, with adjusted net profits of 3.338 billion yuan, 3.920 billion yuan, and 4.615 billion yuan respectively, corresponding to a current PE of 13, 11, and 9 times [2][6]. Summary by Sections Revenue Performance - The company's core OTA business is growing steadily, with accommodation bookings benefiting from a recovery in average room rates and a shift towards higher-quality products. The platform's average daily rate (ADR) has shown positive growth, and the proportion of bookings for three-star hotels has increased by 4 percentage points year-on-year [6][9]. - The hotel management business is emerging as a significant growth driver, with over 2,700 hotels in operation and more than 1,500 in preparation. Q2 revenue growth for this segment exceeded 60%, contributing 25% to other business revenues [6][9]. Profitability - The company's profitability is on an upward trajectory, with the adjusted net profit margin reaching 16.6%, an increase of 1.1 percentage points year-on-year. This improvement is attributed to optimized sales costs and enhanced marketing efficiency [6][9]. - The report highlights that the company is well-positioned to continue improving its profit margins, supported by rising average revenue per user (ARPU) and operational efficiency [6][9]. Market Outlook - The travel industry is expected to maintain long-term growth potential as consumers increasingly seek unique experiences. The company has established a strong competitive moat through its user base, supply chain capabilities, and service efficiency [2][6]. - The report anticipates that the company's marketing strategies and refined subsidies will further enhance profitability, with room for improvement in sales expense ratios and take rates [2][6].

Core Insights - The article discusses the significance of emotional value in branding and consumer relationships, emphasizing that understanding consumer psychology is crucial for brands to thrive in a competitive market [1][2][4]. Group 1: Emotional Value and Consumer Behavior - Emotional value translates into economic value as consumers are willing to pay a premium for positive emotional experiences associated with brands [2]. - Brand premium is explained through emotional value, where consumers expect emotional satisfaction and are willing to pay for it, reflecting their identity and values [2]. - Examples of brands like Labubu demonstrate how emotional value can lead to significant market prices, with blind boxes being sold for thousands, showcasing the strong monetization potential of emotional value in consumer markets [2]. Group 2: Experience-Driven Consumption - The shift from material consumption to experience consumption is highlighted, particularly in Japan, where consumers seek emotional fulfillment through unique experiences [3]. - Japanese agricultural marketing strategies focus on providing consumers with experiences, such as fruit picking and farm visits, which enhance emotional connections to products [3]. - Social media amplifies the influence of emotional value, with seemingly trivial products gaining popularity as emotional outlets for consumers [3][4]. Group 3: Emerging Trends in Emotional Consumption - The rise of products that provide immediate emotional relief, such as stress-relief toys, indicates a growing market for emotional consumption [4]. - The popularity of niche products, like "谷子" merchandise, reflects the vast potential of the emotional consumption market as it transitions from niche to mainstream [4]. - Emotional value is reshaping consumer values, allowing for spiritual satisfaction beyond material needs, and presenting new business opportunities for companies [4].