Group 1 - The core issue for Sam's Club is a misunderstanding of consumer psychology and brand positioning, leading to a significant backlash from consumers [4][5][6] - Consumers are frustrated with the presence of common brands in Sam's Club, which they feel do not align with the premium image they expect from a membership-based store [2][3][13] - Sam's Club's partnerships with popular but lower-tier brands have damaged its brand equity, as consumers associate these brands with lower quality [6][13][18] Group 2 - Sam's Club generates over 100 billion yuan in revenue annually in China, indicating its strong market presence [20] - The company has historically relied on its ability to select high-quality products, which has contributed to its positive reputation among consumers [21][22] - The shift towards local partnerships with mainstream brands may be a strategic move to cater to the broader Chinese market, but it risks diluting the brand's premium image [25][30][50] Group 3 - The consumer base for Sam's Club in China is relatively small, with only about 10 million members, representing less than 1% of the population [37][39] - Many consumers who pay for membership expect access to high-quality products, not common brands that are easily available elsewhere [41][43] - The backlash against Sam's Club's partnerships with larger domestic brands highlights a disconnect between consumer expectations and the company's product offerings [44][59] Group 4 - The limited SKU strategy of Sam's Club, which focuses on a smaller number of products, may lead to challenges in meeting diverse consumer preferences in the Chinese market [63][68] - As the company expands, the difficulty of maintaining its model of offering only a few products as "bestsellers" will increase, given the varied tastes of Chinese consumers [68][69] - The need for localization in product offerings is crucial for Sam's Club to remain competitive in the evolving Chinese retail landscape [25][27][28]

最近山姆超市上新，会员们却吵起来了！ 还有消费者表示"不愿意续会员费"。 山姆上新好丽友派被质疑 日前，山姆上新一款售价49.9元的低糖好丽友派，共有48枚。据商品详情页介绍，该产品在通 过配方改进，糖分减少了80%，可可含量增加30%，产品仅在山姆渠道进行售卖。但就是这款 好丽友派，引发了会员们对于山姆选品能力的质疑。 商品评论页有300多人打出了差评，不少消费者认为"太甜""和市面上的没区别"。 社交媒体截图 据湖北经视@经视直播 报道，7月14日上午，山姆会员商店工作人员回应，商品下架信息以山 姆会员商店APP提示的信息为准，对于选品的问题，后续会尽力改善商品品质。 另据@大象新闻 报道，客服人员表示，山姆一直以来都是以品质优先、会员第一的经营理 念， 对于选品变更的意见会及时同步到内部相关部门 ，保证品质。 一季度山姆中国会员收入增长超4 0% 今年5月，沃尔玛公布一季度业绩。其中，沃尔玛中国增长强劲，第一季度实现净销售额67亿 美元，同比增长22.5%；可比销售额增长16.8%，电商业务净销售额增长34%。 沃尔玛在中国市场的增长得益于山姆会员店和电商业务。 一季度，山姆会员店中国的会员收 入增长超 ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the increasing importance of product selection capabilities for distributors in the current market environment, shifting from a focus on brand representation to a more nuanced understanding of consumer needs [2][13][24] Historical Context - Distributors previously undervalued product selection due to the dominance of leading brands, which dictated market rules and consumer preferences, leading to a focus on securing brand agency rights for stable sales and profits [2][4][10] - The traditional business model favored brand recognition over product differentiation, resulting in distributors primarily following manufacturer directives rather than actively assessing market demands [5][12] Market Dynamics - The emergence of e-commerce has transformed consumer access to products, leading to a diversification of consumer preferences that were previously limited to well-known brands [20][21] - The current market is characterized by an oversupply of products and increasingly diverse consumer demands, necessitating a better alignment between product offerings and consumer needs [16][17][24] Strategic Shift - Distributors are now recognizing the need to develop strong product selection capabilities as a competitive advantage, moving from a "channel king" mentality to a "demand king" approach [10][24] - Successful distributors are focusing on category management, providing tailored product offerings that meet the specific needs of retail partners and consumers [13][23] Conclusion - The evolving market landscape requires distributors to adapt by enhancing their product selection skills, which are becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness and effectively serving retail partners [24]