Core Viewpoint - Dali Food Group has officially entered the "second-generation leadership" era with the appointment of Xu Yangyang, daughter of founder Xu Shihui, as president, amid challenges such as declining revenue and market competition [3][4]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Xu Yangyang has 17 years of experience within the company, starting from grassroots positions and rising to executive director and vice president [4]. - She played a crucial role in Dali's IPO in 2015, which was the largest in the global consumer goods sector that year [4]. - Xu Yangyang's international education and experience in capital markets are expected to bring a forward-looking strategic vision to Dali [4][5]. Group 2: Strategic Challenges - Dali has faced a decline in revenue, with a drop from 222.94 billion yuan in 2021 to an estimated 180.73 billion yuan in 2024, indicating a loss of over 42 billion yuan [7]. - The company's traditional sales channels are under pressure from e-commerce and new retail formats, necessitating a shift in strategy [5][7]. - Dali's core brands are experiencing aging and slower product iteration, which poses a challenge in meeting the demands of younger consumers [7][8]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Directions - Dali's historical success relied on a "follow strategy" rather than innovation, which may not suffice in the current fragmented market [6][9]. - The company is urged to focus on creating a few competitive product categories to regain market confidence and performance [9]. - Dali plans to initiate a global strategy by 2025, but faces significant competition from established multinational brands and local players [9].

Core Insights - Dali Food Group announced that Xu Yangyang, daughter of founder Xu Shihui, officially took over as president in November 2025, leading the company during a challenging period of declining performance and industry transformation [1][9] Company History and Development - Xu Shihui's entrepreneurial journey began in 1989 when he invested his entire savings to buy a second-hand biscuit production line, establishing the precursor to Dali Food [2] - Dali Food was officially founded in 1992, but faced significant competition from brands like Wangwang and Lays as they entered the Chinese market [2] Business Strategy - Dali Food adopted a unique "Dali Model" to compete against foreign brands, focusing on low-priced products, celebrity endorsements, and deep channel penetration [3][5] - The company has historically leveraged aggressive marketing strategies, utilizing popular celebrities for endorsements and maintaining a pricing strategy that undercuts competitors by 30% to 50% [6][8] Financial Performance - Dali Food's revenue peaked at 222.94 billion yuan in 2021 but fell to 199.57 billion yuan in 2022, marking the beginning of a downward trend [10][12] - The company initiated a privatization process in 2023 due to its stock price being undervalued, but subsequent revenue figures for 2023 and 2024 showed continued decline [12][13] Market Challenges - Dali Food has struggled to adapt to new market dynamics, including the rise of e-commerce and competition from direct-to-consumer models, which have eroded its traditional channel advantages [14][16] - The company's reliance on a "pressuring inventory" model has led to issues with distributor relationships and inventory management, further complicating its market position [14] Leadership Transition and Future Strategy - Xu Yangyang aims to transition Dali Food from a "follower" to an "innovator," focusing on brand rejuvenation and product innovation to meet evolving consumer demands [16][17] - The company is pursuing an international expansion strategy, targeting Southeast Asia, with plans to establish production bases in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia [19][20]