Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage on WeLong Delicious with a "Buy" rating and a target price of HKD 19.96, based on a 32x PE for 2025 [7]. Core Viewpoints - The Chinese snack industry is characterized by a long-standing multi-category and weak brand presence, with spicy snacks showing stronger addiction and higher repurchase rates, effectively extending product life cycles. WeLong has successfully established itself as a national brand in spicy strips and is positioned to benefit from rapid category expansion as a pioneer in the konjac segment [1][17]. - The spicy snack segment is experiencing high growth and strong consumer loyalty, with the market size for spicy strips around RMB 10 billion and WeLong holding a 28% market share in 2023. The konjac segment is also thriving, with a projected market size of RMB 7 billion in 2024 and an annual growth rate exceeding 20% [2][18][19]. Industry Overview - The spicy snack market is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 to 2026, driven by the addictive nature of spicy foods. The konjac segment is anticipated to surpass the RMB 10 billion mark, with WeLong's market share projected at 42% in 2024 [2][19]. - The report highlights the increasing health consciousness among consumers, which is propelling the growth of the konjac category due to its unique taste and high cost-performance ratio [2][19]. Company Analysis - WeLong is building competitive barriers through its strong brand identity and innovative product development. The company has a mature research and development management system, allowing for modular reuse of technology and continuous product innovation [3][20]. - The company has successfully created a second growth curve, with revenue from vegetable products expected to exceed that from flavored noodle products in 2024. WeLong is also actively transforming its distribution channels to adapt to market demands, enhancing its presence in offline channels and embracing new channels such as snack wholesale and content e-commerce [3][21]. Future Growth Prospects - WeLong's growth strategy focuses on product innovation and channel diversification. The company aims to solidify its supply chain and enhance its reach through various distribution channels, including traditional and emerging platforms [21][22]. - The report emphasizes the potential for WeLong to benefit from the ongoing expansion of the spicy snack market and the increasing consumer preference for healthier snack options [17][22].