Core Viewpoint - The founder of Baiguoyuan, Yu Huiyong, sparked controversy by stating that the company is not catering to consumers but rather educating them to mature, which has led to public backlash and criticism of the company's approach to consumer relations [1][3][5]. Group 1: Company Positioning and Consumer Relations - Baiguoyuan's business model is categorized by Yu as either "exploiting consumer ignorance" or "educating consumers," with the latter being the chosen path for the company [3]. - The company's claim of educating consumers has been met with skepticism, as many consumers feel that purchasing fruit should not involve being lectured [5]. - The perception of Baiguoyuan as an "educator" has created a disconnect in the consumer-business relationship, where consumers feel patronized rather than valued [5][12]. Group 2: Quality Control and Consumer Complaints - Despite Baiguoyuan's emphasis on quality, there have been multiple reports of quality control failures, including the sale of spoiled fruit and mislabeling of products [7]. - Over 3,000 complaints on the Black Cat Complaint platform highlight issues such as poor quality and inadequate compensation for defective products, contradicting the company's high-quality image [7]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Position - Baiguoyuan's financial performance has deteriorated, with a reported revenue of 10.273 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year decline of 9.8%, and a net loss of 386 million yuan, marking the first net loss in five years [9]. - The number of retail stores has significantly decreased, with a net reduction of 966 stores in 2024, leaving only 5,127 stores, which contrasts sharply with previous expansion ambitions [9]. - The company faces intense competition from community group buying and e-commerce giants, which have adopted aggressive pricing strategies, undermining Baiguoyuan's supply chain advantages [9]. Group 4: Strategic Shifts and Market Perception - Baiguoyuan's strategy has shifted towards emphasizing "value for money," with the term appearing 25 times in the 2024 financial report, indicating a response to consumer demand for better pricing [11]. - The introduction of promotional activities aimed at providing discounts on high-quality products suggests an attempt to balance high-end positioning with market accessibility [11]. - However, this dual strategy has led to a blurred brand image, alienating both high-end consumers and price-sensitive customers [12].