Core Viewpoint - The collaboration between Three Squirrels and Ai Ling Shi has failed, impacting the company's offline expansion strategy, but the company will continue to seek development opportunities in line with its established strategy [1][18]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Three Squirrels announced the termination of its acquisition of Hunan Ai Ling Shi Technology Co., Ltd. due to a lack of agreement on core terms after eight months of negotiations [2][3]. - The acquisition was part of a larger plan involving three acquisitions, with a total investment not exceeding 360 million yuan, where Ai Ling Shi represented the largest portion at 200 million yuan [8]. - Ai Ling Shi operates over 2,000 stores nationwide and was seen as a key player in strengthening Three Squirrels' offline presence [5][16]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Three Squirrels experienced a revenue decline from 2020 to 2023, but in 2024, it reported a revenue of 10.622 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 49.3%, and a net profit of 408 million yuan, up 85.5% [16]. - The company's revenue has been heavily reliant on online channels, with third-party e-commerce platform revenue accounting for about 70% of total revenue from 2020 to 2024 [16][17]. Group 3: Strategic Shift - Following the failed acquisition, Three Squirrels is expected to continue its focus on offline market expansion, aiming to adjust its revenue structure from a 7:3 online-to-offline ratio to a 5:5 ratio over the next 2 to 3 years [15]. - The company has shifted its strategic positioning, moving from a focus solely on snacks to a broader "all-category, all-channel" approach, emphasizing high-quality products [20][21]. - Recent actions include entering the beverage market and plans to open all-category lifestyle stores and convenience stores [21][22].

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of Hunan Ailing Snack Technology Co., Ltd. by Three Squirrels has been terminated after eight months of negotiations due to disagreements on core terms, marking a setback in the company's offline expansion strategy [1][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Three Squirrels planned three acquisitions in 2024, with the largest being the proposed acquisition of Ailing Snack for up to 200 million yuan, part of a total investment of no more than 360 million yuan across all three deals [2][5]. - The acquisition aimed to leverage Ailing Snack's extensive network of over 2,000 stores to strengthen Three Squirrels' offline presence and tap into new market segments [2][5]. - Ailing Snack has been actively expanding, having acquired several snack brands and increasing its store count from approximately 1,800 to over 2,000 in 2023 [3][5]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The failure of the acquisition is seen as a significant obstacle to Three Squirrels' goal of balancing its revenue structure from 70% online to 50% offline over the next 2-3 years [4][5]. - The company has been facing declining revenues since 2019, with a notable recovery in 2024, achieving a revenue of 10.622 billion yuan, a 49.3% increase year-on-year [5][6]. - Three Squirrels is now seeking alternative opportunities to pursue its offline strategy, although it has not disclosed plans for new acquisition targets [6][7]. Group 3: New Strategic Direction - Three Squirrels has shifted its strategic focus from solely snacks to a broader "all-category, all-channel" approach, aiming to provide high-quality products across various categories [7][8]. - The company has recently entered the beverage market and plans to open all-category lifestyle stores and convenience shops, indicating a significant shift in its business model [7][8]. - The founder has positioned 2025 as a "year of rebirth" for the company, suggesting a transformative phase ahead [9].