每经编辑｜何小桃 据东方财经报道，8月8日，百果园董事长余惠勇发视频回应水果贵。 视频中，余惠勇表示："水果这个产品非常普通，但是真正了解水果的呢，非常少，我们仍然会坚守做高品质的。我要想给顾客留下一个便宜的印象是很 容易的，因为它不同的品质差别太大了，哪怕外观同样的水果，有的时候差到四五倍。而且便宜的水果呢供大于求，但真正的好水果是供不应求的，也是 它贵的一个原因。我们一方面呢，可以听到百果园太贵了的声音，但另外一方面呢，我们百果园有几千万的会员，如果没有一批真正认识到百果园价值的 顾客，那百果园也就不复存在。" 此外，余惠勇还提到："我认为商业就两种，第一个利用消费者的无知，第二个教育消费者成熟，像百果园这么多年来都走在一个教育消费者成熟的路 上。我们不会去迎合消费者，他并不清楚的所谓的便宜之类的，我们想告知消费者，最后是消费者自己的选择。但是如果消费者不知情的时候，实际上他 是无从选择的，他只能选择便宜，只能看价格。一方面我们认为还有空间在成本上继续去优化，能否再低一点的价格供应给我们顾客，但是我绝不在品质 上做让步，除非我直接换品相，把品质做差一点、价格便宜点，但这不是我们要走的路。" 果园买了四个进 ...

Core Viewpoint - The chairman of Baiguoyuan, Yu Huiyong, addressed the issue of high fruit prices, stating that the company adheres to a high-quality approach and believes that good fruit is in short supply [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - Baiguoyuan chooses to educate consumers rather than exploit their ignorance, emphasizing the importance of consumer awareness in making informed choices [1] - The company acknowledges that while there is room for price reduction, it will not compromise on quality [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - There is a significant disparity in fruit quality, with cheaper fruits being in surplus while high-quality fruits are scarce and expensive [1] - Baiguoyuan has millions of members, indicating a strong consumer recognition of its value proposition [1]

Core Viewpoint - The chairman of Baiguoyuan, Yu Huiyong, addressed concerns regarding high fruit prices, emphasizing the importance of quality over price and the need for consumer education about fruit value [1][3] Group 1: Company Positioning - Baiguoyuan aims to maintain high-quality fruit offerings despite consumer perceptions of high prices, arguing that quality differences can lead to price variations of four to five times for similar-looking fruits [3] - The company has millions of members who recognize its value, indicating a loyal customer base that appreciates quality over low prices [3] Group 2: Consumer Education - Yu highlighted the dual nature of business: exploiting consumer ignorance versus educating consumers, stating that Baiguoyuan focuses on the latter to help consumers make informed choices [3] - The company is committed to optimizing costs to potentially lower prices without compromising on quality, rejecting the idea of offering lower-quality products at cheaper prices [3]

Group 1 - The chairman of Baiguoyuan, Yu Huiyong, addressed concerns about high fruit prices, stating that while there are complaints about the cost, the company has millions of members and high-quality fruit remains in demand [1][3] - Yu emphasized that Baiguoyuan focuses on educating consumers rather than catering to their lack of knowledge about pricing, asserting that consumers should have the choice based on informed decisions [3] - The company is committed to optimizing costs to potentially lower prices for customers, but it will not compromise on quality [3] Group 2 - Baiguoyuan, officially known as Shenzhen Baiguoyuan Industrial (Group) Co., Ltd., was established in 2001 in Shenzhen and operates as a large-scale chain enterprise involved in various aspects of the fruit industry, including procurement, logistics, and retail [4]

Core Viewpoint - The price of lemons has significantly increased, with the average wholesale price reaching 14.11 yuan per kilogram, nearly double the price from the previous year, impacting both retail and beverage markets [1][2]. Retail Market - The retail price of lemons has risen, with some stores selling them for 5 yuan each, compared to 3.5 yuan previously [2]. - Despite the price increase, consumer demand remains strong, as many continue to purchase lemons for refreshing drinks [2]. - In some markets, the price for a box of 500 grams of lemons is around 13.9 yuan, with individual lemons priced at approximately 2.7 yuan each [2]. Beverage Market - The demand for lemon-based beverages is high, with brands like Mixue Ice City selling 1.1 billion cups of lemon water annually [3]. - While some stores have not yet raised prices, cities like Beijing and Shanghai have seen prices for lemon drinks increase from 4 yuan to 5 yuan [4]. - Other beverage brands are adjusting their offerings in response to rising lemon prices, with some substituting different types of lemons to manage costs [4]. Price Increase Origin - The primary driver of the recent price surge is extreme weather conditions that have disrupted the supply chain, particularly affecting the yellow lemon variety [5]. - Sichuan Anyue County, which produces 70% of China's lemons, has experienced significant production declines due to prolonged high temperatures and lack of rainfall [6]. - Global lemon production is expected to decrease by approximately 6% in 2025, with adverse weather conditions in key producing countries like Turkey and Argentina further exacerbating the situation [6].

Core Viewpoint - Baiguoyuan has experienced a significant shift from profit to loss in 2024, reporting a net loss of 3.8 billion yuan, despite a previously stable profit trend from 2020 to 2023 [1][3]. Financial Performance - Baiguoyuan's total operating revenue for 2024 was 10.27 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.12 billion yuan compared to the previous year [3]. - The company's net profits from 2020 to 2023 were 49.06 million yuan, 230.3 million yuan, 323.3 million yuan, and 361.7 million yuan respectively, indicating a consistent growth trend prior to 2024 [3]. Strategic Adjustments - The loss in 2024 is attributed to two main factors: macroeconomic influences and a strategic decision to reduce the number of stores to enhance profitability and quality [5]. - The number of franchise stores decreased from 6,081 in 2023 to 5,116 in 2024, with nearly 1,000 stores closed as part of this strategic shift [5]. - Baiguoyuan's chairman, Yu Huiyong, acknowledged the need to adapt to changing consumer demands for both high quality and low prices, which posed a challenge for the company [5]. Future Outlook - The company views the 3.8 billion yuan loss as a necessary "growing pain" associated with its strategic adjustments, raising questions about its ability to recover and return to profitability [5].

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant growth in sales and order volume for the Fresh Fruit No.1 store and its chain, driven by the integration of online platforms like Taobao Flash Sale and the distribution capabilities of Ele.me [1][5][6] Group 1: Sales Growth and Business Impact - Fresh Fruit No.1 experienced a more than 500% increase in online single product orders, with all 21 chain stores seeing over 400% growth [1] - The store's gross profit margin reached 5% to 10%, and employee salaries are expected to rise by 500 to 1000 yuan per month due to increased sales [3] - Taobao Flash Sale's launch has led to over 26,000 non-food stores seeing order volume increase by over 100%, with daily orders reaching 80 million [5][6] Group 2: Consumer Benefits and Market Dynamics - The 500 billion yuan platform consumption voucher initiative has provided consumers with significant savings, enhancing their shopping experience and stimulating consumption [5][6] - The integration of e-commerce with local fulfillment has created new growth opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses [5][6] - The collaboration between platforms and merchants has fostered a win-win situation, increasing consumer trust and satisfaction [6][8] Group 3: Strategic Adjustments and Future Plans - Fresh Fruit No.1 is expanding its product offerings and optimizing its operations based on consumer preferences, including the introduction of new fruit varieties and improved packaging [7][8] - The company plans to open new stores in Suzhou and surrounding areas, diversifying into flowers, baked goods, and processed products [8] - The growth in sales has prompted the company to consider hiring additional marketing staff to support its expansion [8]

Core Viewpoint - The fruit retail industry is facing significant challenges, with many small store owners struggling to maintain profitability due to increased competition and changing consumer behaviors [2][9][12]. Group 1: Challenges Faced by Fruit Store Owners - Many fruit store owners, like Zhang Dong, initially experienced success but later faced increased competition as new stores opened nearby, leading to a decline in customer traffic and profits [2][3]. - The average operating period for individual fruit store owners has decreased from 4.3 years in 2019 to 1.8 years in 2024, indicating a growing instability in the sector [5]. - High rental costs and short shelf life of fruits contribute to the financial strain on fruit retailers, making it difficult to sustain operations [13]. Group 2: Attempts to Find Breakthroughs - Some store owners, such as Li Na, have attempted to diversify their offerings by adding vegetables or snacks, but these efforts have not yielded significant improvements in sales [7][8]. - The use of live streaming and online sales has been explored as a potential solution, but only 12.7% of operators have found success through this channel [8]. - The fruit retail industry is experiencing a systemic crisis, with major chains like Baiguoyuan closing stores and reporting declining sales and profitability [9][10]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly opting for online purchases, with 63% preferring to select fruits in-store but ultimately buying online, leading to a rise in online penetration from 17% in 2020 to 39% in 2024 [10]. - The price sensitivity of consumers has intensified, with many choosing the cheapest options available, further squeezing the margins of physical stores [10][11]. - The fruit industry is undergoing a deep adjustment, with traditional business models facing severe challenges due to high competition and changing consumer preferences [12][14].

Core Insights - The fruit retail industry is facing severe challenges, with many small store owners struggling to maintain profitability due to increased competition and changing consumer behavior [6][12][21] - The average operating cycle for individual fruit store owners has decreased significantly, indicating a high turnover rate in the industry [6] - Major fruit retail chains are also experiencing significant losses, with closures and declining sales figures highlighting the systemic issues within the industry [12][13] Group 1: Challenges Faced by Individual Store Owners - Many fruit store owners report a decline in business due to the influx of new competitors offering promotions, leading to reduced customer traffic and profit margins [2][4][9] - Store owners are attempting to diversify their offerings by adding vegetables or snacks, but these strategies often fail to yield significant improvements in sales [10][11] - The pressure from online platforms and group buying options is further exacerbating the difficulties faced by traditional fruit stores [14][21] Group 2: Industry Trends and Consumer Behavior - The fruit retail market is undergoing a transformation, with consumers increasingly opting for online purchases and showing a preference for lower-priced options [14][15][21] - The logistics and supply chain inefficiencies contribute to high costs and waste, making it difficult for physical stores to compete with online platforms that can offer better prices [13][14][21] - The overall fruit production in China is increasing, but the wholesale market prices are declining, indicating a mismatch between supply and demand [16] Group 3: Systemic Issues in the Industry - The fruit retail sector is characterized by low entry barriers, leading to oversaturation and intense competition among numerous players [19][20] - High rental costs and short shelf life of fruits create significant financial risks for store owners, making it challenging to sustain operations [18][21] - The shift in consumer purchasing behavior towards value-oriented options is diminishing the appeal of high-end fruit offerings, impacting specialized fruit retailers [21][22]

Group 1 - In July, Guangxi launched a summer consumption season, leading to a surge in demand for ASEAN fruits like durian and mangosteen, enhancing consumer experience in Nanning [1] - The price of durian at Walmart is appealing, with "Golden Pillow Durian" priced at 19.99 yuan per 500g, attracting many customers and resulting in sales exceeding 1,000 kg per day during peak times [3][5] - Nanning's ability to achieve "ASEAN fruit freedom" is attributed to its advantageous transportation network and logistics infrastructure, including a major fruit trading center with an annual trading volume exceeding 1.5 million tons, of which over 300,000 tons are imported fruits [6] Group 2 - The popularity of ASEAN fruits has transformed them from luxury items to everyday purchases for consumers, with products like Philippine bananas and Thai coconuts also seeing significant sales [5] - The continuous demand for ASEAN fruits is revitalizing the local consumption market, with plans for Nanning to deepen trade cooperation with ASEAN to further enhance the availability of quality fruits [10]