Core Viewpoint - The 618 shopping festival this year has seen a significant decline in excitement and participation, with major live-streaming hosts becoming less active and shifting their focus away from traditional sales methods [2][3][20]. Group 1: Changes in Live-Streaming Hosts - Major live-streaming hosts, such as Li Jiaqi and Dong Yuhui, are reducing their appearances and focusing on building teams rather than relying solely on personal brands [3][5][12]. - Li Jiaqi has created multiple accounts to diversify his sales approach, targeting different demographics, including a new account aimed at middle-aged consumers [11][9]. - Dong Yuhui's team has successfully generated significant sales even in his absence, indicating a shift towards a more decentralized model of live-streaming sales [12][13]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics - The decline in the prominence of top hosts is a response to the risks associated with relying heavily on individual influencers, as seen in past controversies [15][16]. - Platforms are now promoting mid-tier hosts and diversifying traffic sources to mitigate risks, with data showing that the contribution of top influencers to sales has decreased significantly [15][17]. - Brands are increasingly opting for self-operated live-streaming channels to reduce dependency on top hosts, as the costs associated with hiring them can erode profit margins [17][18]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Regulatory Environment - Consumers are becoming more discerning, moving away from blindly following top hosts to seeking expertise and authenticity in product recommendations [18][19]. - The industry is facing stricter regulations, which has led to a more cautious approach from top hosts, contributing to the overall decline in sales growth [19][20]. - The total sales during the 2024 618 festival saw a 7% decline year-on-year, marking the first negative growth in 16 years, highlighting the challenges faced by the industry [20][23]. Group 4: Future Trends - The future of live-streaming sales may see a rise in niche influencers who specialize in specific categories, as consumers seek more knowledgeable and trustworthy recommendations [25][26]. - Technological advancements are expected to reshape the live-streaming landscape, enhancing efficiency and potentially reducing the reliance on human hosts [26][27]. - The core competitive advantage for future influencers will likely shift from personal charisma to supply chain management and product quality, emphasizing the importance of backend capabilities [27][28].

Core Viewpoint - The collective low profile of top live-streaming hosts reflects a significant shift in the e-commerce landscape, moving from a reliance on individual influencers to a more decentralized approach that emphasizes team systems and professional expertise [5][19][30]. Group 1: Changes in Live-streaming Hosts - This year's 618 shopping festival has seen a noticeable decline in the activity of top live-streaming hosts, with many reducing their appearances and focusing on team-based strategies [4][6][12]. - Influencers like Li Jiaqi and Dong Yuhui are adopting a more low-key approach, with Li Jiaqi participating less frequently and Dong Yuhui's team achieving significant sales without his constant presence [7][16]. - The trend indicates a shift from a reliance on individual star power to a more sustainable model where teams can operate independently, reducing the risk associated with over-dependence on a single host [17][28]. Group 2: E-commerce Platform Strategies - E-commerce platforms are moving towards decentralization, supporting mid-tier hosts to mitigate risks associated with top influencers, as seen in the decline of GMV contributions from top hosts [19][20]. - Platforms like Douyin and Taobao are implementing policies to promote mid-tier influencers, with Douyin's top hosts now contributing only 9% of total GMV [20][22]. - Brands are increasingly opting for self-operated live-streaming channels to reduce reliance on top hosts, as the costs associated with top influencers can significantly erode profit margins [21][22]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Market Dynamics - Consumers are becoming more discerning, moving away from blindly following top influencers to seeking professional content and genuine endorsements [22][23]. - The e-commerce industry is experiencing a slowdown, with a reported 7% decline in total sales during this year's 618 festival, marking the first negative growth in 16 years [24][27]. - Regulatory pressures and a more cautious consumer base are contributing to the shift in dynamics, as the industry moves towards greater compliance and transparency [23][24]. Group 4: Future Trends in Live-streaming E-commerce - The future of live-streaming hosts will likely focus on niche markets, with specialized influencers gaining traction as consumers seek expertise over generalist approaches [30][31]. - Technological advancements are expected to reshape the live-streaming landscape, enhancing efficiency and enabling new formats such as AI-driven hosts [31][32]. - The competitive edge for future influencers will hinge on their ability to manage supply chains effectively, as the focus shifts from mere promotion to comprehensive control over product quality and pricing [33][34].

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival has been significantly quieter this year, with major e-commerce platforms showing less promotional enthusiasm and consumer interest declining [1][8] - Top livestreaming hosts are becoming less prominent, with figures like Li Jiaqi and Luo Yonghao reducing their appearances and focusing on other ventures [1][4][5] - The shift towards decentralization in e-commerce is evident, as platforms and brands seek to reduce reliance on top influencers and cultivate a broader range of hosts [9][11] Group 1: Changes in Livestreaming Hosts - Li Jiaqi, once a leading figure, has decreased his presence significantly during the 618 festival, focusing only on key sales days [1][8] - Dong Yuhui, now a prominent figure on Douyin, achieved a record sales figure of 176 million yuan in a single session but maintains a low-key approach with limited appearances [2][8] - Luo Yonghao has transitioned to a smaller platform, Baidu, where his sales figures are considerably lower compared to previous performances on larger platforms [4][8] Group 2: Industry Trends and Shifts - The trend of top influencers stepping back is a response to the need for platforms to decentralize risk, as reliance on a few key figures can lead to significant losses if they fail [9][10] - Brands are increasingly opting for self-operated livestreams and developing their own hosts to reduce dependency on top influencers, as evidenced by the rising GMV from brand-operated streams [13][14] - The overall sales during the 618 festival have seen a decline, with a 7% drop in total sales compared to previous years, marking the first negative growth in 16 years [16][18] Group 3: Future Directions in E-commerce - The future of livestreaming may see a rise in niche influencers who focus on specific categories, as consumers shift their preferences towards expertise and trust [20][21] - Technological advancements are expected to reshape the livestreaming landscape, enhancing efficiency and potentially introducing virtual hosts [21][22] - The competitive edge for future influencers will likely hinge on their ability to manage supply chains effectively, moving from a commission-based model to one that emphasizes control over product quality and pricing [22][23]