Summary of Conference Call for 爱优企 Company Overview - **Company**: 爱优企 - **Industry**: Mother and Baby Products, Health Supply Chain Management Key Points and Arguments Store Expansion and Performance - In the first half of 2025, 爱优企 opened approximately 34 new stores, including regional flagship stores in 淮安, 扬州, and 邵阳, resulting in a net increase of about 20 stores compared to the same period last year [5] - The company plans to open around 100 new stores throughout 2025, with over 60 planned for the second half of the year [3][19] - Same-store sales growth exceeded 3 percentage points in Q2 2025, with even higher growth observed from July onwards, attributed to store optimization, adjustments in store size, pricing strategies, and improved employee performance [10][11] Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, 爱优企 reported revenue of 1.835 billion RMB, an increase of 8.3 million RMB year-on-year, and a net profit of 46.73 million RMB, up 10% [4] - The company’s self-owned brand sales accounted for 13.5% of total sales, a year-on-year increase of 1.4 percentage points, with a target to reach 15% [14] IP Business Development - The first 万代 (Bandai) model store opened in 苏州 in March 2025, with plans to open three more stores in major cities in the second half of the year [6][21] - The IP business generated several million RMB in revenue in the first half of 2025, with expectations for improved performance in the second half as new stores open [21] Supply Chain and Product Strategy - The mother and baby health supply chain management business benefited from rapid growth on platforms like 拼多多 (Pinduoduo) and strong performance from existing flagship stores [8] - The company has optimized its product categories, with significant growth in milk powder and toys, driven by supply chain improvements and a focus on low-price strategies [17][18] Operational Efficiency - The company has streamlined its SKU count while achieving a 65% year-on-year increase in sales volume, indicating effective self-owned brand strategies [14] - Employee performance has been enhanced through a salary increase linked to performance metrics, contributing to improved sales efficiency [12] Future Outlook - The company anticipates better overall growth in 2025 compared to the first half, driven by store openings and a reduction in average transaction prices by 20% to 40% across various categories [3][32] - The company is adjusting its business model based on stable birth rates, aiming for growth through operational improvements and strategic store openings [20] Challenges and Considerations - The company is monitoring the impact of store closures on overall performance, as some locations have been shut down [2] - Supply chain issues are expected to improve in Q4 2025 with new factories coming online, although initial supply shortages may occur for new IP stores [22] Additional Important Information - The company maintains a dual dividend strategy, with plans to gradually increase dividend payouts to shareholders [31] - The operational model for new stores has shifted to smaller formats (100-200 square meters), which has not negatively impacted revenue, thanks to reduced rent and labor costs [29]

Group 1: Global Retail Rankings - In the NRF Top 50 Global Retailers 2025 list, Aldi ranks 4th with revenues of $155 billion and 13,877 stores, while its former protégé, Schwarz Group, ranks 3rd with revenues of $182 billion and 14,244 stores [1] - The Schwarz Group has recently opened a new store format, Lidl Home&Living, which does not sell food, attracting industry attention [1] Group 2: History and Business Model of Aldi - Aldi's history dates back to 1913 when the Albrecht family opened a small grocery store in Essen, Germany, focusing on high cost-performance products post-World War II [2] - The minimalist business model adopted by Aldi, which emphasizes a limited selection of non-perishable goods, has reduced inventory pressure and increased turnover, laying the foundation for future expansion [2] Group 3: History and Expansion of Lidl - Lidl was established later than Aldi, with its first discount store opening in 1973, focusing on a limited SKU count and a small store size to reduce costs [3][4] - Lidl's international expansion began in the 1990s, starting in France, where it adopted a strategy of local sourcing and reduced SKU counts to enhance efficiency and brand recognition [5] Group 4: Lidl's Strategy in the U.S. Market - Upon entering the U.S. market in 2017, Lidl adjusted its product strategy to include more local brands and fresh products to cater to American consumer preferences [6] - Lidl's marketing efforts in the U.S. emphasized high cost-performance and selected products, which helped quickly raise brand awareness despite initial high market investment pressures [6] Group 5: Lidl's Non-Food Store Format - Lidl has opened its first 100% non-food store in Germany, showcasing its own brand products across various categories, indicating a strategic shift towards non-food retailing [12] - The store layout includes a significant portion dedicated to DIY tools, furniture, and kitchen appliances, aiming to create a comprehensive non-food product ecosystem [12][13] Group 6: Competitive Landscape - Lidl's self-brand products occupy over 80% of its shelf space, reflecting a strategy that prioritizes high cost-performance over brand loyalty among consumers [7] - The rise of specialized non-food competitors like Action and Tedi poses a challenge to traditional supermarket models, prompting Aldi and Lidl to adapt their business strategies [13][14] Group 7: Industry Trends - The retail landscape is shifting from large supermarkets to smaller, more specialized stores, with a notable decline in large chain store numbers globally [9][10] - Younger consumers are increasingly favoring online shopping and local convenience stores, leading to a decrease in foot traffic to large supermarkets [11]

Core Insights - ALDI has achieved significant growth in the Chinese market, with a sales scale of 2 billion yuan in 2024, doubling from 1 billion yuan in 2023, and a store count increase from 50 to 55 [1][2] - The company's strategy focuses on high efficiency, streamlined operations, and a strong private label approach, with approximately 90% of its products being private labels [1][3] - ALDI's entry into the Jiangsu market marks its expansion beyond Shanghai, leveraging its understanding of local consumer behavior and government support [4] Sales Performance - ALDI's sales in 2024 reached 2 billion yuan, representing a 100% year-on-year growth, while the average annual sales per store is approximately 36.36 million yuan [1][2] - The company has maintained a high sales efficiency with smaller store sizes, typically ranging from 200 to 600 square meters [2] Product Strategy - ALDI's product offerings emphasize high frequency, essential, and health-oriented items, with a focus on high cost-performance [2] - The launch of the "Super Value" series in late 2023 has been successful, with products like 9.9 yuan liquor gaining popularity [2] Supply Chain Management - ALDI has developed 13 private label brands and sources over 80% of its products from local suppliers, optimizing its supply chain for cost efficiency [3] - The company employs a dual supply chain strategy, combining local and global sourcing to enhance operational efficiency [3] Market Expansion - ALDI has begun expanding into Jiangsu province, with plans to replicate its successful Shanghai model [4] - The company has opened stores in Suzhou, Wuxi, and Kunshan, with a total of 76 stores nationwide as of July 2025 [4] Challenges and Future Outlook - The expansion into Jiangsu presents both opportunities and challenges, including adapting to regional consumer differences and enhancing supply chain efficiency [4] - ALDI faces competition in the rapidly changing Chinese retail landscape, necessitating a focus on digital transformation and consumer insights [4]