Core Viewpoint - Companies relying solely on traffic-driven models tend to be short-lived, emphasizing the necessity of good products and competitive pricing for long-term success [2][3][4][5]. Group 1: Market Opportunities - In the next 5-10 years, there are three significant market opportunities in China: the aging population, pet ownership, and the chain retail model [7][8][9][10]. - The annual increase of 20 million retirees presents a lucrative market for the silver economy, as this demographic has disposable income and time to spend [8]. - The pet ownership trend indicates that households are increasingly treating pets as family members, leading to substantial monthly expenditures [9]. - The chain retail model in China has considerable room for growth, as its current penetration is significantly lower than in the US, Japan, and Hong Kong [11][12]. Group 2: Learning from Japan - A study trip to Japan is planned to explore how the silver economy has influenced product models and to analyze successful companies like Muji, 7-Eleven, and Shiseido [13][14]. - The Japanese market serves as a "future laboratory" for Chinese consumer brands, providing insights into consumer evolution over the next decade [18]. Group 3: Key Insights from Japanese Brands - Japanese brands thrive on three core principles: supply chain-driven private label (PB) products, continuous iteration of key products, and defining lifestyles that resonate emotionally with consumers [19]. - Companies like Kobe Bussan leverage a robust supply chain to create PB products, achieving significant scale and efficiency [20]. - The focus on single, high-demand products allows brands like Kikkoman to evolve from merely producing soy sauce to creating a cultural identity around it [20]. - Brands like Shiseido utilize a tiered approach to product offerings, catering to both high-end and cost-sensitive consumers [20]. Group 4: Event Details - The event will feature prominent figures in the consumer sector, including Zhu Xiaohu, who has led early investments in various successful startups [21]. - Participants will engage in discussions and visits to key Japanese companies to understand their strategies and operational models [22][23][24][25][26].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on products and users, as well as prioritizing people in business management, including selection, utilization, and motivation of team members [1][2]. Group 1: Japanese Market Insights - The Japanese consumer market serves as a "future laboratory" for Chinese brands, providing insights into consumer evolution over the next decade [7]. - The article highlights that understanding Japan's product survival wisdom, developed during its "lost thirty years," is crucial for Chinese brands to win over consumers [7][8]. - Key strategies from successful Japanese brands include supply chain-driven private label (PB) products, continuous iteration of major products, and defining lifestyles that resonate emotionally with consumers [8][10][11]. Group 2: Successful Japanese Brands - Kobe Bussan utilizes a vertically integrated supply chain to offer over 1,000 stores and achieve a scale of 20 billion RMB [10]. - 7-Eleven employs data from its extensive network to guide the development of PB products that meet latent consumer needs [10]. - Nitori, known as the "king of Japanese furniture," applies automotive supply chain standards to achieve consistent revenue growth for 36 years [10]. Group 3: Product Development and Consumer Engagement - Kikkoman has evolved from merely producing soy sauce to creating a cultural narrative around it, enhancing consumer engagement [10]. - Shiseido employs a layered brand strategy to cater to both high-end markets and cost-sensitive consumers [10]. - Bandai focuses on developing products that tap into fundamental human desires, creating items that are both fun and addictive [12]. Group 4: Learning Opportunities - The article promotes a study trip to Japan, where participants can learn about the operational strategies of leading Japanese brands and their approaches to market challenges [3][4][23]. - The program includes insights from industry leaders and visits to successful companies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Japanese retail landscape [14][15][19].

Core Viewpoint - The core values of entrepreneurial companies should be pragmatic, emphasizing strength over size, quality over quantity, content over form, and facts over feelings, with a focus on data-driven decision-making [1] Group 1: Japanese Brand Insights - Japanese consumer market changes provide a "future laboratory" for Chinese consumer brands, offering predictive insights into the evolution of consumption over the next decade [7] - The three core philosophies of enduring Japanese brands include supply chain-driven private brand (PB) products, continuous iteration of big niche products, and defining lifestyles that resonate emotionally with consumers [8][10][11] Group 2: Supply Chain and Product Development - Kobe Bussan utilizes a vertically integrated supply chain to achieve extreme cost-effectiveness, operating over 1,000 stores with a scale of 20 billion RMB [10][18] - 7-11 employs data from its extensive chain to guide the development of PB products that meet latent consumer needs, enhancing store performance by 120% through single product development [10][17] - Nitori, Japan's furniture giant, applies automotive supply chain standards to achieve continuous revenue growth for 36 years [10] Group 3: Product Iteration and Market Response - Kikkoman has evolved from producing soy sauce to creating a soy sauce culture, continuously meeting consumer demands through technological development [10] - Shiseido employs a layered brand and product strategy to cater to both high-end markets and cost-sensitive consumers [10][19] Group 4: Lifestyle Definition and Emotional Connection - Bandai focuses on developing products that tap into fundamental human desires, creating items that are both entertaining and addictive [12] - Muji redefines user experience with its no-logo, affordable products, reflecting lifestyle changes post-economic bubble [12][22] Group 5: Learning and Networking Opportunities - The "Black Horse Global Study Tour" in Japan aims to explore innovative opportunities in the Chinese consumer market, featuring insights from industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs [3][4][14] - Participants will engage in discussions and visits to key companies, gaining practical knowledge on supply chain management, product development, and consumer engagement strategies [14][15][16][19]