Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive dynamics between Sam's Club and a discount supermarket called "好特卖" (Hao Te Mai), highlighting how the latter has begun to offer similar products at lower prices, leading to dissatisfaction among Sam's Club members who pay for membership fees [7][10][12]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Sam's Club has faced backlash after the introduction of a low-sugar version of a popular snack, which subsequently appeared at Hao Te Mai, leading to a perception of betrayal among its members [7][8][12]. - Hao Te Mai has been noted for selling products that are similar to those found at Sam's Club but at significantly lower prices, creating a shift in consumer trust and loyalty [10][18]. - The article suggests that Hao Te Mai is effectively leveraging Sam's Club's brand recognition to attract customers, positioning itself as a discount alternative [11][30]. Group 2: Product Strategy - Hao Te Mai's pricing strategy includes offering products at nearly half the price of Sam's Club, which has led to increased foot traffic and sales [17][18]. - The supermarket's inventory is primarily composed of unsold or near-expiry products, which allows it to maintain lower prices while appealing to cost-conscious consumers [40][60]. - The article notes that approximately 60% of Hao Te Mai's products are sourced from brand excess inventory, with a significant portion being near-expiry items [60][64]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are drawn to Hao Te Mai for the thrill of finding discounted products, often treating shopping there as a treasure hunt experience [64][65]. - The perception of buying near-expiry products has shifted towards a more sustainable lifestyle choice, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers [66][70]. - The article highlights that Hao Te Mai has successfully tapped into the male consumer market for beauty and personal care products, which is a relatively untapped demographic in this sector [56][58].

Group 1 - The product "low-sugar Orion pie" was previously sold at Sam's Club for 49.9 yuan and has been removed from their shelves due to selection issues [1] - The product is now available at a discount chain called "Good Sale," priced at 32.9 yuan per box, with a shelf life until November [3] - Good Sale primarily sells near-expiry discount items and assists brands in clearing out inventory, with over 950 stores nationwide as of June this year [3] Group 2 - Orion's spokesperson confirmed that the low-sugar pie was removed from Sam's Club due to stock issues and that there are no plans to sell it through other stores [4] - Orion reported a 8.1% year-on-year increase in sales to 777.2 billion won in Q2, with sales in the Chinese market growing by 3.0% to 304.8 billion won, accounting for over 40% of total sales [5] - The change in Sam's Club's product selection strategy has led to public criticism, with some members feeling that the store is losing its unique offerings [7]