Core Viewpoint - The sales related to "LABUBU" have increased more than eightfold within a year, indicating a significant growth in popularity and market presence for Pop Mart, which has surpassed the market value of Japan's Sanrio [1][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - Pop Mart's LABUBU sales reached 3 billion RMB in the fiscal year 2024, an increase of 8.3 times compared to the previous fiscal year [5]. - The company's operating revenue for fiscal year 2024 grew to 13 billion RMB, 2.1 times higher than the previous year, while net profit surged to 3.1 billion RMB, a 2.9 times increase [5]. - Pop Mart's total market value has risen to approximately 250 billion HKD, which is 9.2 times that of the end of 2023, surpassing Japan's Sanrio [6]. Group 2: Market Expansion - Pop Mart plans to expand its store count outside of China to about 230 by the fiscal year 2025, an increase of 80% from the end of the previous fiscal year [1]. - The company has established a total of 130 stores in overseas markets, with nearly 40% of its overall revenue coming from international operations [6]. - In fiscal year 2024, Pop Mart opened 50 new stores, primarily in Vietnam and India, and plans to open 100 more stores in Japan, Thailand, and other regions by 2025 [6]. Group 3: Brand Strategy and Competition - LABUBU, a character from illustrator Kasing Lung's works, has become a fashion statement among young consumers, particularly in Southeast Asia, aided by endorsements from popular figures like BLACKPINK [3][5]. - Pop Mart is recognized as a pioneer in China's intellectual property (IP) business, focusing on developing its own characters through collaborations with various artists [5]. - Competitors like Miniso are also leveraging well-known IPs for their products, but Pop Mart is committed to nurturing its own IPs alongside established ones [5]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The success of LABUBU reflects a broader trend in the Chinese market, where companies are increasingly moving from manufacturing to leveraging intellectual property and creative content [6]. - The gaming industry, exemplified by the global success of the mobile game "Genshin Impact," shows similar trends in the popularity of Chinese-origin characters and merchandise [7]. - Southeast Asia is identified as a crucial market for companies like Pop Mart, second only to China in importance [8].