Core Viewpoint - The Chinese sports brand industry is experiencing a collective slowdown, marked by the end of the "national sports dividend" period and increasing competition from domestic brands, leading to a "mid-life crisis" for leading companies like Anta, Li Ning, and Xtep [6][10][8]. Group 1: Market Trends - The penetration rate of sports shoes in China has reached around 50%, comparable to the US and Japan, with the domestic sports shoe and apparel market expected to grow only 5.9% to 410 billion yuan in 2024, marking the end of the previous decade's double-digit growth [6][10]. - From 2021 to 2023, domestic brands gained market share due to the Xinjiang cotton incident, with Nike and Adidas dropping to 16.2% and 8.7% market shares respectively, while Anta, Fila, and other brands collectively surpassed 20% [6][10]. - The concentration ratio (CR5) of domestic sports brands has reached 53%, making China the market with the highest concentration globally, indicating a shift from offensive strategies to defensive ones for leading brands [6][10]. Group 2: Challenges for Leading Brands - Anta and Li Ning are facing a "mid-life crisis," with both brands reporting low single-digit growth for several consecutive quarters, and Anta's overall growth relying on other outdoor brands [10][11]. - Anta's recent half-year report highlighted increased discount rates and return rates, indicating heightened price sensitivity among consumers, leading to a downward revision of growth targets [10][11]. - The industry is projected to face a turning point in 2024, with Euromonitor forecasting a mere 5.8% growth over the next five years, suggesting that leading brands will not only face industry slowdowns but also market share declines [10][11]. Group 3: Brand Strategy and Operations - The article discusses the challenges of brand operation in the sports apparel sector, noting that while domestic brands have excelled in manufacturing, they have struggled to translate this into global brand recognition [13][14]. - Domestic brands have relied on celebrity endorsements and major events for brand promotion, but this strategy is losing effectiveness as market dynamics change [14][15]. - The article emphasizes the importance of learning from smaller niche brands that have successfully captured market segments by understanding consumer needs better than established brands [18][19]. Group 4: Consumer Engagement and Distribution - The shift from a supply-demand imbalance to oversupply has led to increased competition, with brands needing to adapt to a more consumer-centric approach [21][22]. - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies are highlighted as essential for improving efficiency and understanding consumer preferences, with successful examples from both domestic and international brands [23][24]. - The need for brands to focus on value-for-money propositions is emphasized, as consumers increasingly demand better price-performance ratios, which could reshape the competitive landscape [26][27].