Core Viewpoint - The rising gold prices have led to increased criminal activities and financial instability within gold retail stores, revealing underlying issues in the gold investment and retail market. Group 1: Criminal Activities and Store Closures - There have been incidents of theft at gold stores, including a man stealing a gold necklace and another using a hammer to break into a jewelry store [6][8] - Several gold stores have closed down and gone missing, with significant amounts of money involved, such as a store in Haidian with claims reaching 4 billion [10][11] Group 2: Store Operations and Financial Struggles - Many gold stores are not profitable and may be operating at a loss despite rising gold prices [3][36] - The majority of gold stores in China are franchise operations, with only a small percentage being directly operated by brands [24][26] - The business model of gold stores often relies on low margins, with some stores reporting gross profits as low as 3.2% to 5.9% [44][49] Group 3: Investment Risks and Misconceptions - The concept of "gold storage" and "guaranteed returns" in gold stores lacks regulatory oversight, making it a risky investment [51][53] - Consumers are often misled into thinking that buying gold jewelry is a safe investment, but the actual resale value is often lower due to processing fees and brand premiums [58]