Core Insights - The concept of "swaying consumers" indicates that 20%-80% of consumers have brand awareness but lack loyalty, influenced by price, quality, marketing, and competition [2][3] - The market has shifted to a buyer's market, where consumers have more choices, leading to a focus on retaining existing market share rather than expanding into new markets [3] Group 1: Consumer Trends - Increased consumer engagement and brand interaction due to the influence of short video and live streaming platforms, with consumers preferring brands that express warmth and relatability [5] - Higher acceptance of new concepts and innovative marketing methods, such as AI and traditional crafts, which enhance consumer purchasing desire [6] - Changes in consumer loyalty, with 84.45% of loyal consumers still comparing and choosing other brands, indicating a shift from traditional loyalty metrics [7] Group 2: Brand Perception and Marketing - Consumers are more discerning, researching product specifications and demanding quality and functionality, making product characteristics the core of brand content [10][11] - The importance of brand values, with 86.41% of consumers stating that a brand's values influence their purchasing decisions, leading to a preference for brands that resonate with their own values [15][17] - Increased recognition of domestic brands, driven by quality, design, and cultural identity, highlighting the need for brands to connect products with emotional narratives [21] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - A trend towards rational and cautious consumption, with consumers seeking certainty and security in their purchases amid economic uncertainty [22] - A pursuit of high cost-performance, where consumers are willing to pay reasonable prices for high-quality products, exemplified by the popularity of "domestic alternatives" [23][25] - Demand for seamless online and offline experiences, particularly among younger consumers who expect integrated customer interactions across all touchpoints [26][28] Group 4: E-commerce Dynamics - Younger consumers show a greater acceptance of personal sellers on e-commerce platforms, valuing transparency and rich content, which emphasizes the potential of brand owners and personal sellers in marketing strategies [29]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in building brand recognition in a market dominated by large brands [5][11][28] - The "2025 China Brand Value Top 500" report by Brand Finance indicates that major brands like Douyin and State Grid have significantly increased their brand values, with Douyin valued at $105.8 billion, up 26% [2][3] - The report emphasizes the importance of emotional resonance and unique brand value for SMEs to differentiate themselves from larger competitors [20][24] Group 2 - The article discusses the decline of traditional media's effectiveness and the rise of short video platforms, which complicates brand visibility for SMEs [9][12] - It suggests that SMEs should leverage a matrix of accounts across various channels to create "fragmented fame" rather than seeking broad recognition [12][19] - The use of AI tools is recommended to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs for SMEs aiming to compete with larger brands [27][28]