Core Viewpoint - The company is responding to an inquiry regarding its 2024 annual report, addressing concerns about revenue growth slowdown, net profit decline, and the stability of gross profit margins amidst industry challenges and regulatory changes [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The company's revenue for 2022, 2023, and 2024 was 20.176 billion, 22.437 billion, and 22.358 billion RMB, with year-on-year growth rates of 28.54%, 11.21%, and -0.36% respectively [2]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders for the same years was 0.785 billion, 0.929 billion, and 0.519 billion RMB, with year-on-year changes of 17.29%, 18.35%, and -44.13% respectively [2]. - The overall gross profit margin has shown stable growth, with the gross profit margin for 2024 at 41.4% compared to 39.6% in 2023 and 40.4% in 2022 [5]. Group 2: Industry Challenges - The pharmaceutical retail industry is experiencing revenue stagnation and profit pressure due to ongoing medical reforms, stricter insurance regulations, and increased market competition [3][4]. - The number of retail pharmacies in China reached 675,000 by the end of 2024, reflecting a growth of 1.21% from the previous year, indicating intensified competition in the market [4]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - In response to market conditions, the company has increased the number of self-built and franchised stores to enhance market share, with the total number of stores reaching 14,684 in 2024, up from 10,268 in 2022 [4]. - The company is shifting its product strategy towards traditional Chinese and Western medicines, with sales of these products accounting for 79.1% of total revenue in 2024 [5]. - The company has implemented measures to optimize its supply chain and improve operational efficiency, including a focus on private label products, which generated sales of 3.54 billion RMB in 2024, accounting for 22% of total sales [5][6]. Group 4: Goodwill and Asset Management - The company has a significant goodwill balance of 5.756 billion RMB as of the end of 2024, representing 27.35% of total assets, necessitating careful management and impairment testing of goodwill [2][3]. - The company conducts goodwill impairment tests based on asset groups defined by operational units, ensuring compliance with accounting standards [6][8].