Core Insights - The Indian government has reduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on baby products from 12% to 5%, which is expected to boost demand in the sector [1][6] - The domestic baby care market in India is experiencing double-digit growth, driven by rising disposable incomes and aspirational demand [2][6] - Chicco, a brand under the Italian Artsana Group, is expanding its retail presence and product offerings in response to increasing discretionary demand [1][6] Industry Overview - The Indian baby care products market generated annual sales of approximately US $4.94 billion in the current year and is projected to reach US $8.61 billion by 2030 [2] - Per capita spending on childcare products in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% from 2023 to 2028, outpacing growth in larger markets like the United States and China [6] - The sector has attracted significant investor interest, exemplified by Reliance Retail Ventures acquiring a 51% stake in the infant brand Ed-a-Mamma [6] Competitive Landscape - Chicco competes with major brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Mothercare, and Mother Sparsh, as well as numerous direct-to-consumer brands in the infant personal care market [5][6] - Chicco has a presence in 120 countries and operates over 360 single-brand stores, with the United States being its second-largest market after Italy [5] Future Plans - Chicco plans to open a dozen new stores in the coming year, leveraging the growth of quick commerce platforms that are outpacing traditional physical store growth [6]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious outlook on near-term growth momentum despite a strong GDP print, suggesting the need for more policy stimulus to boost investment demand and support the labor market [6]. Core Insights - China's 2Q25 GDP grew by 5.2% year-on-year, slightly below the 5.4% growth in 1Q25, but above market consensus of 5.1% [1][8]. - Industrial production (IP) showed a surprising increase to 6.8% in June, driven by resilient export activities, with manufacturing IP accelerating to 7.4% [3][8]. - Retail sales growth moderated to 4.8% in June, lower than the previous month and consensus expectations, indicating potential weakness in domestic demand [4][8]. - Fixed asset investment (FAI) growth slowed to 2.8% year-to-date, with a significant contraction in property investment at -11.2% year-on-year [5][8]. - The urban unemployment rate remained stable at 5.0% in June, with disposable income per capita increasing by 5.1% year-on-year [10][11]. Summary by Sections Economic Growth - 2Q25 GDP growth was reported at 5.2% year-on-year, with a sequential increase of 1.1% quarter-on-quarter [1][8]. - In the first half of 2025, real GDP growth reached 5.3%, surpassing the annual policy target of "around 5%" [1]. Industrial Production - IP growth rose to 6.8% in June from 5.8% in May, with manufacturing IP accelerating to 7.4% [3][8]. - Growth was observed in 36 out of 41 industries, with notable increases in industrial robots and integrated circuits [3]. Retail Sales - Retail sales increased by 4.8% year-on-year in June, down from 6.3% in May, influenced by earlier promotions and subsidy halts [4][8]. - Catering services saw a significant slowdown, with growth dropping to 0.9% year-on-year [4]. Fixed Asset Investment - FAI growth moderated to 2.8% year-to-date, with a single-month growth of only 0.5% year-on-year [5][8]. - Property investment continued to decline sharply, with a contraction of -11.2% year-on-year [5]. Labor Market and Income - The urban unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0% in June, with average weekly hours worked at 48.5 [10][11]. - Disposable income per capita reached RMB 9,661 in 2Q, reflecting a 5.1% year-on-year increase [11].