Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that the challenges faced by the liquor industry, particularly the Moutai brand, cannot be solely attributed to a single company acting as a "savior" but rather require collective efforts from all industry participants to overcome structural issues and innovate for survival [1][2][3][5][6][7]. Group 1: Industry Dynamics - The liquor industry is experiencing a downturn, leading to a tendency to either idolize top brands like Moutai as a "safe haven" or to adopt a passive stance, which is a form of escapism [1]. - Moutai's success is rooted in the high-end market, creating a disconnect with the broader consumer market, similar to how luxury brands cannot resolve issues in fast-moving consumer goods [2]. - The perception of Moutai as a "safe asset" reflects investor panic over economic uncertainty, resulting in Moutai accounting for 56% of the liquor sector's market value in 2023, which exacerbates the disparity between large and small enterprises [3]. Group 2: Social and Economic Factors - The public's excessive focus on Moutai simplifies complex economic issues into a search for a benchmark, obscuring the real structural problems such as overcapacity and changing consumer preferences [5]. - Even if Moutai wanted to take on industry responsibility, its management capabilities are limited to its supply chain and cannot address deeper issues like channel inventory and price discrepancies [6]. - The expectation for a public company to sacrifice shareholder interests to "save the industry" contradicts modern corporate governance principles [7]. Group 3: Responsibility and Innovation - The current challenges in the liquor market stem from multiple factors, and blaming a single entity is unscientific; key stakeholders include government, industry associations, leading enterprises, and small businesses [7][9]. - The slow recovery of consumer confidence and the cautious spending on non-essential goods highlight a shift in consumption logic that liquor companies must address [9]. - The article suggests a shift from merely looking at benchmarks to understanding consumer needs, advocating for innovation and restructuring to adapt to market changes [10][12]. Group 4: Strategic Recommendations - Companies should focus on demand disaggregation and explore niche markets, such as "micro-drinks" for specific occasions [10]. - There is a call for reverse innovation and value chain reconstruction to enhance market resilience and adaptability [10]. - Organizations are encouraged to build robust teams capable of thriving in challenging environments, emphasizing the importance of internal agility over external complaints [12].