Core Insights - The Chinese潮玩 (trendy toy) industry is experiencing an IPO boom, with companies like Pop Mart leading the way, having seen significant stock price increases since their listings [1][3] - The market is gradually accepting潮玩 as a new consumption model, with capital increasingly favoring IP toy companies [3] - The future success of these companies will depend on their ability to create real value through IP development and operational strategies [3] Company Summaries - **Pop Mart**: - Successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in December 2020 at a price of 38.5 HKD, with a current stock price of 266.8 HKD as of July 9, 2025, representing a sixfold increase and a market capitalization of 354.268 billion HKD [1] - By 2024, Pop Mart had seven IPs generating over 100 million RMB in revenue, with self-owned IPs accounting for over 70% of its income, establishing a complete business loop from IP incubation to product design and sales [5] - **Blokus**: - Launched with a stock price increase of 81.61% on its first day, achieving a market capitalization of over 26.5 billion HKD [3] - Focuses on building block toys, with 30.3% of its products being proprietary, but relies on non-exclusive licensed IPs, which poses stability risks [6] - Recognizing its IP limitations, Blokus is gradually developing its own IPs [6] - **52TOYS**: - As of 2024, 52TOYS had 35 self-owned IPs and 80 licensed IPs, with sales from self-owned IPs contributing 24.5% of total revenue, while licensed IPs accounted for 64.5% [8] - The company is heavily reliant on licensed IPs, with sales from these IPs increasing significantly over the years [9] Market Trends - The潮玩 industry is shifting from being overlooked to becoming a major focus for capital investment, indicating a potential "stronger getting stronger" trend as more companies enter the market [11] - Companies are expanding their overseas presence, with Pop Mart's international business contributing 5.07 billion RMB in revenue in 2024, a 375% increase year-on-year, accounting for 38.9% of total revenue [10] - Blokus's overseas sales surged from 104 million RMB in 2023 to 642 million RMB in 2024, marking a 518% increase [10] - 52TOYS's overseas revenue grew from 35.4 million RMB in 2022 to 147.4 million RMB in 2024, with significant growth in markets like Japan and Thailand [10] Financial Performance - Pop Mart's total revenue for 2024 reached 630.13 million RMB, with a gross profit margin of 39.99% [11] - The company has seen a consistent increase in revenue and a decrease in the proportion of sales and marketing expenses over the years [11] - Despite the growth, Pop Mart reported a net loss of 121.514 million RMB in 2024, indicating challenges in profitability [11]

Core Insights - 52TOYS is positioned as a leading player in the IP toy market, leveraging its "IP Central" strategy and comprehensive industry chain layout to enhance its competitive advantage and market presence [1][19]. Group 1: Company Overview - 52TOYS was established in 2015 and has rapidly grown to become a significant player in the IP toy sector, with over 100 proprietary and licensed IPs by the end of 2024 [2][19]. - The company has achieved impressive revenue growth, with sales increasing from 463 million yuan in 2022 to 630 million yuan in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7% [2][27]. - The adjusted net profit turned from a loss in 2022 to a profit of 32.01 million yuan in 2024, indicating strong operational resilience [2][27]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The global IP derivative market is valued at 1.4056 trillion yuan in 2024, with the IP toy segment accounting for 525.1 billion yuan, representing 37.4% of the total market [4][19]. - China's IP derivative market is growing rapidly, with a CAGR of 15.1% from 2020 to 2024, significantly outpacing the global growth rate of 8.3% [4][19]. - The Chinese IP toy market is projected to grow from 43.5 billion yuan in 2020 to 75.6 billion yuan in 2024, with a CAGR of 11.7% [4][19]. Group 3: Competitive Advantages - 52TOYS employs an "IP Central" strategy that integrates IP-driven collaboration across departments, enhancing product design, content insight, and commercialization [6][19]. - The company operates a dual-driven model with both proprietary and licensed IPs, having 35 proprietary IPs and 80 licensed IPs by the end of 2024 [6][19]. - Product innovation is a key pillar of 52TOYS' strategy, with over 500 new SKUs launched annually across various categories, including static figures, movable toys, and mechanical toys [7][19]. Group 4: Distribution and Sales Channels - 52TOYS has established a comprehensive distribution network, combining online and offline channels, with over 400 distributors covering 20,000 retail points [8][19]. - The company has successfully expanded its overseas market presence, with international revenue growing from 35 million yuan in 2022 to 147 million yuan in 2024, achieving a CAGR of over 100% [9][19]. - The sales revenue from distributors accounted for 66.8% of total revenue in 2024, with online sales contributing 22.1% and offline sales 8.8% [39][19]. Group 5: Consumer Engagement and Community Building - 52TOYS has built a robust fan community with over 4.7 million registered members by the end of 2024, enhancing customer loyalty and engagement [10][19]. - The company is transitioning from a focus on single products to developing a content ecosystem around its IPs, which includes novels and comics to extend the lifecycle of its products [10][19].

Core Viewpoint - Beijing Lezitiancheng Cultural Development Co., Ltd. (also known as "52TOYS") is seeking to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with rapid revenue growth but still facing challenges in profitability and IP licensing risks [1]. Financial Performance - Lezitiancheng's revenue from product sales has increased from 457 million yuan in 2022 to 629 million yuan in 2024, accounting for over 98% of total revenue during this period [2][4]. - The company reported revenues of 463 million yuan, 482 million yuan, and 630 million yuan for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, with gross profits of 134 million yuan, 195 million yuan, and 252 million yuan, leading to gross margins of 28.9%, 40.5%, and 39.9% [4][5]. - Despite revenue growth, the company recorded net losses of 1.71 million yuan, 71.93 million yuan, and 122 million yuan for the same years, with adjusted net profits showing a similar trend [5][6]. Revenue Sources - Over 50% of Lezitiancheng's revenue comes from licensed IP products, with sales from licensed IP increasing from 233 million yuan in 2022 to 406 million yuan in 2024 [9][10]. - The company has diversified its sales channels, with significant contributions from distributors and direct sales, accounting for over 90% of total revenue [3][4]. Market Position - Lezitiancheng ranks second among multi-category IP toy companies in China by GMV, with a market share of 1.2% in the overall IP toy market, significantly lower than the leading competitors [6][13]. - The Chinese IP toy market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17% over the next five years, indicating potential for future expansion [6]. Operational Challenges - The company faces high operational costs, with total expenses for sales, marketing, and administration accounting for approximately 34.17% of total revenue in 2024 [6][7]. - Inventory and accounts receivable management pose risks, as the company has seen an increase in inventory and trade receivables, leading to negative cash flow in 2024 [7][8]. Future Plans - The IPO proceeds will be allocated to diversifying and strengthening the IP matrix (20%), expanding domestic and international direct sales channels (25%), improving marketing activities (15%), potential investments or acquisitions (10%), and general corporate purposes (10%) [15].

Group 1: Market Overview - The global IP toy market is expected to reach a GMV of 525.1 billion yuan in 2024, with China and Southeast Asia projected to achieve GMVs of 75.6 billion yuan and 18.1 billion yuan respectively, and CAGRs of 17.2% and 20% from 2024 to 2029 [1] Group 2: Upstream IP Development - Pop Mart's original IPs have gained global popularity, expanding from Molly in 2017 to multiple successful IPs by 2022, with projected revenues of 8.08 billion yuan from the top five IPs in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 130.7% [1] - The fastest-growing IPs include The Monsters, Hirono, and Molly, with growth rates of 726.6%, 106.9%, and 105.2% respectively [1] - Alibaba's IP licensing platform, Aliyu, has signed contracts with hundreds of quality IPs since its establishment in 2016, leveraging Alibaba's e-commerce platform to connect brands and consumers [1] Group 3: Midstream Development - KAYOU leads the domestic card game industry with a GMV of 18.7 billion yuan in 2024, capturing a market share of 71.1% [2] - BLUKO has emerged as the top player in the building block toy sector with a GMV of 1.7 billion yuan in 2023, holding a market share of 30.3% [2] - Copper Master, a leading brand in copper cultural and creative products, is projected to exceed 500 million yuan in GMV in 2024, with a market share of 35% [2] - 52TOYS operates with both proprietary and licensed IPs, planning to have 35 proprietary IPs and 80 licensed IPs by the end of 2024, with over 500 new SKUs launched annually [2] Group 4: Downstream Channels - Pop Mart has set a benchmark for direct sales models, increasing its number of stores from 329 to 401 between 2022 and 2024, while TOPTOY's stores grew from 8 to 40 [3] - In 2024, the GMV for Pop Mart and TOPTOY stores in mainland China is expected to be 3.83 billion yuan and 1.15 billion yuan respectively, with single-store revenues of 10.02 million yuan and 5.42 million yuan [3] - The success of Pop Mart is attributed to the strong sales of its proprietary IP products like The Monsters and Molly, resulting in significantly higher store efficiency [3]

Core Viewpoint - 52TOYS has initiated its IPO process, marking its entry into the capital market after nearly a decade of operation, but faces significant challenges in profitability and market position compared to competitors like Pop Mart and Blok. [1][3][7] Financial Performance - 52TOYS reported revenues of 463 million, 482 million, and 630 million RMB for 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively, with growth rates of 4.10% and 30.70% in 2023 and 2024 [9] - The company has incurred net losses of 1.7 million, 71.9 million, and 122 million RMB from 2022 to 2024, totaling approximately 200 million RMB in losses [3][9] - Adjusted net profits are projected to turn positive in 2023 and increase in 2024, but remain significantly lower than leading competitors [3][9] Market Position - 52TOYS claims to be the "third largest IP toy company" in China, with a GMV of 930 million RMB and a market share of 1.2% in 2024, but is far behind Pop Mart's GMV of 8.72 billion RMB and market share of 11.5% [7][8] - The company relies heavily on licensed IPs, with 50.2%, 59.3%, and 64.5% of its revenue coming from licensed IPs over the past three years, indicating increasing dependency [10] Management and Ownership - CEO Chen Wei and other executives cashed out nearly 60 million RMB before the IPO, exceeding the company's annual profit [4][5] - The company has undergone multiple financing rounds since 2018, raising its valuation from 200 million to over 4.2 billion RMB [5] Operational Efficiency - 52TOYS has faced challenges in operational efficiency, with high inventory levels and accounts receivable impacting cash flow [13][14] - The company's inventory turnover days have improved but still lag behind competitors, indicating potential issues with product movement [14][16] Future Prospects - The company plans to allocate 20% of IPO proceeds to diversify its IP matrix and enhance product design, aiming to develop its own IPs [20] - 52TOYS is expanding into overseas markets, with international revenue growing from 35.36 million RMB in 2022 to 147 million RMB in 2024, but faces stiff competition [23][24] Challenges Ahead - The reliance on licensed IPs poses risks, especially with key contracts nearing expiration, which could affect future revenue [11][10] - The company must navigate a competitive landscape in overseas markets, where established brands like Pop Mart already have a strong presence [24][25]

Company Overview - The founder of Pop Mart, Wang Ning's family, has seen their wealth surge to $20.8 billion, making them the new richest family in Henan, surpassing the founder of Muyuan Foods, Qin Yinglin, who has a net worth of $16.3 billion [1][3] - Over the past year, Wang Ning's family's wealth increased dramatically from approximately $5.5 billion to $20.8 billion, indicating a significant rise in their ranking among China's wealthy [3] Financial Performance - In 2024, Pop Mart achieved record revenue of 13.04 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 106.9%, and an adjusted net profit of 3.4 billion yuan, up 185.9% [5] - The company's stock price has skyrocketed over 11 times since the beginning of 2024, with a maximum increase of over 1400% from its lowest to highest price [3][5] Product and IP Development - Pop Mart's IPs, including THE MONSTERS, MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, and CRYBABY, have performed exceptionally well, with four IPs generating over 1 billion yuan in revenue and THE MONSTERS surpassing 3 billion yuan [6] - The LABUBU product line has gained immense popularity, leading to high demand and significant sales, with some limited editions selling for tens of thousands of yuan [5][6] Market Expansion and Strategy - Pop Mart plans to expand its global business, focusing on North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe, by opening physical stores in landmark locations to enhance brand experience and recognition [7] - The company aims to deepen collaborations with artists and cross-industry brands to enrich its product matrix and promote cultural integration [7] Industry Trends - The global toy market is projected to grow at an average rate of 5.34% until 2028, with China's toy market expected to grow at an average rate of 9.27%, reaching a market size that could account for one-sixth of the global market [7][8] - The IP toy market in China is anticipated to grow from 57.8 billion yuan in 2025 to 91.1 billion yuan by 2028, with an average growth rate of 17.02%, outpacing global growth [7] Competitive Landscape - The toy market is characterized by "dual-track competition," with traditional giants like LEGO and Bandai accelerating their presence in collectible products, while Chinese brands like Pop Mart innovate to gain market share [8] - The ability to establish a competitive edge across the entire supply chain, from creative incubation to consumer reach, is crucial for toy companies [8]

Core Viewpoint - The global economic recovery by 2025 is revitalizing the Hong Kong stock market, with the IP toy industry being a focal point for capital market attention, highlighted by 52TOYS' IPO plans and valuation of 4.273 billion RMB [1][6]. Company Overview - 52TOYS, the third-largest IP toy company in China, has adopted an "IP hub" strategy since its brand launch in 2015, focusing on diverse consumer needs and extensive product development [1][3]. - The company has launched various product lines, including blind boxes and transformable mechas, and has developed its first original IP, "Beast Box" [3][12]. - As of 2024, 52TOYS has 35 proprietary IPs and 80 licensed IPs, with a total of 2,800 SKUs and over 500 new products introduced annually [3][12]. Financial Performance - Revenue from 2022 to 2024 shows growth from 462.9 million RMB to 630.1 million RMB, with a notable increase in sales cost and a fluctuating gross margin [10][11]. - The company reported a net loss of 1.22 billion RMB in 2024, with adjusted net profits showing a gradual improvement [12]. - The revenue structure is increasingly reliant on licensed IPs, which accounted for 64.5% of total revenue in 2024, while proprietary IPs contributed only 24.5% [12]. Market Position and Challenges - Despite its growth, 52TOYS faces challenges in creating blockbuster proprietary IPs comparable to competitors like Pop Mart's MOLLY [8][12]. - The company has seen a significant shift in its distribution strategy, reducing direct stores from 19 in 2022 to 5 by early 2025, while increasing reliance on distributors [12][14]. - The competitive landscape is intensifying, particularly in overseas markets, where 52TOYS has seen over 100% CAGR in revenue since 2022 [13][14]. Strategic Partnerships - Recent strategic investments from Wanda Film and Ru Yi Holdings have increased 52TOYS' valuation and provided a 7% stake to these investors, indicating confidence in the company's growth potential [5][6]. - A strategic partnership with Wanda Film aims to leverage both companies' strengths in IP toy product development and marketing [6]. Future Outlook - The company's future success hinges on its ability to innovate and develop impactful proprietary IPs while navigating the competitive landscape of the global toy market [16][18]. - The ongoing global economic recovery is expected to enhance consumer demand for IP toys, presenting opportunities for growth [1][16].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive landscape of the IP toy industry in China, focusing on the company Lezi Tiancheng (乐自天成) and its potential IPO amidst a rapidly growing market dominated by Bubble Mart and Blok. The company faces challenges in achieving profitability and creating blockbuster original IPs, which are crucial for its growth and market positioning [1][3][5]. Group 1: Company Overview - Lezi Tiancheng is the third-largest IP toy company in China, with a market share of 1.2%, trailing behind Bubble Mart and Blok, which hold 11.5% and 5.7% market shares respectively [3]. - The company was founded in 2015 and has since developed a significant portfolio of IPs, including both licensed and original creations, with 35 original IPs by the end of 2024 [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Lezi Tiancheng's revenue from 2022 to 2024 shows a gradual increase, with figures of 4.63 billion, 4.82 billion, and 6.30 billion yuan respectively, but it has not yet achieved profitability, with net losses expanding from 1.7 million to 122 million yuan over the same period [3][5]. - The company relies heavily on licensed IPs for revenue, with licensed IP revenue increasing from 2.33 billion yuan in 2022 to 4.06 billion yuan in 2024, while revenue from original IPs has stagnated [5]. Group 3: Market Strategy and Growth Potential - Lezi Tiancheng has seen significant growth in its overseas market, with revenue increasing from 35.4 million yuan in 2022 to 147 million yuan in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 100% [6]. - The company plans to allocate 25% of its IPO proceeds to expand its direct sales channels overseas, targeting markets in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States [6][7]. - The management believes in its ability to compete in the global market, citing a threefold increase in GMV in Japan and a fourfold increase in Thailand in 2024 [7].

Core Viewpoint - 52TOYS, a Chinese toy company, is planning to go public in Hong Kong, but its financial performance raises concerns about its competitiveness in the rapidly growing IP toy market [2][4]. Financial Performance - 52TOYS reported a revenue of 630 million RMB in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 68%, but its net profit growth was only 12%, which is significantly lower than its peers [2][7]. - The company's gross margin decreased from 58% to 52% over the same period, indicating a decline in profitability [2][9]. - From 2022 to 2024, 52TOYS experienced a cumulative loss of 195 million RMB, with annual losses increasing each year [7][8]. Revenue Sources - 64.5% of 52TOYS' revenue comes from licensed IP, while its own IP revenue share is declining, raising concerns about sustainability if licenses are lost [2][9]. - The company has spent over 100 million RMB on licensing fees for IPs from 2022 to 2024, indicating a heavy reliance on external IPs [9][11]. Market Position - The Chinese IP toy market is expected to grow from 486 billion RMB in 2020 to 756 billion RMB in 2024, with 52TOYS lagging behind competitors like Pop Mart and TOPTOY, which have shown stronger revenue growth [5][6]. - 52TOYS' revenue growth rate from 2022 to 2024 is 16.7%, significantly lower than competitors like Card Game at 55% and Bluku at over 150% [6][9]. Ownership and Investment - The founder and partners of 52TOYS have cashed out a total of 57.73 million RMB prior to the IPO, raising questions about their confidence in the company's future [3][4]. - Major shareholders include Suzhou Qiming Rongke and CICC Cultural Consumption Fund, with the founder holding approximately 36.81% of the shares [5][6]. Competitive Landscape - 52TOYS aims to differentiate itself by focusing on collectible toys rather than becoming a second Pop Mart, but analysts suggest it still operates within a similar framework [12]. - The company faces challenges in establishing a unique market position, as its reliance on licensed IPs and distributors limits its control over brand representation and pricing [11][12].

Core Viewpoint - The rise of the "Guzi Economy" has made trendy toys a hot investment area, with multiple IP toy companies, including 52TOYS, preparing for IPOs in Hong Kong, driven by strong consumer demand from young people [1][3][5]. Industry Overview - The IP toy sector is a significant subfield within the trendy toy industry, focusing on toys associated with intellectual property [3]. - 52TOYS, founded in 2015, offers a variety of IP toy products, including static and movable dolls, wind-up toys, transforming robots, and plush toys [3]. - The company has submitted its prospectus for an IPO, with Citigroup and Huatai International as joint sponsors [3]. Market Dynamics - The investment trend in trendy toys is accelerating, with 52TOYS being the latest in a series of companies, including Pop Mart and TOP TOY, seeking to enter the capital market [5]. - The Chinese trendy toy and cultural creative industry is rapidly advancing towards capital transformation, with a more mature industry ecosystem compared to 2020 [5]. Consumer Behavior - Young consumers are increasingly willing to spend on emotional purchases, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for blind box toys, which are seen as social currency [7][9]. - The emotional connection to trendy toys is highlighted by consumers expressing their feelings through the toys they choose, indicating a shift towards emotional consumption [9]. Financial Performance - 52TOYS reported revenues of 463 million yuan, 482 million yuan, and 630 million yuan for 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, with net losses increasing from 1.708 million yuan to 122 million yuan over the same period [11]. - The company's reliance on licensed IP products is significant, with 64.5% of its revenue in 2024 coming from licensed IP, compared to 12.3% for Pop Mart [11]. Competitive Landscape - The competitive environment in the trendy toy market is intensifying, with companies needing to innovate in design and avoid over-reliance on licensed products to maintain user engagement and valuation [11][13]. - Industry experts emphasize the importance of design innovation and caution against unhealthy market practices, such as artificial scarcity and speculation [13].