Core Viewpoint - The olive essence incident has reshaped the responsibility boundaries in the beauty live-streaming sales industry, highlighting the need for accountability among brands and influencers [1] Group 1: Incident Overview - The olive essence controversy began in February 2024 when a beauty influencer claimed that CSS's olive essence products failed to meet ingredient standards, leading to widespread scrutiny [6][19] - Following the incident, CSS's domestic operator, Shanghai Jingyue, announced the termination of its partnership with the American brand and the closure of all official online stores in China due to lack of support [3][13] - The regulatory body fined Shanghai Jingyue 500,000 yuan for false advertising related to the olive essence product, marking a significant conclusion to the incident [8][15] Group 2: Brand and Market Impact - CSS, which previously achieved significant sales growth, reported a drop in market presence following the incident, with its sales figures declining from 1.8 billion yuan to uncertain levels [17][21] - The brand's domestic operator underwent several changes, including a shift in legal representation and ownership, indicating instability within the company [18] - The incident has led to a broader discussion about the responsibilities of influencers and brands in the live-streaming sales sector, with some industry leaders acknowledging the inevitability of product issues in a rapidly growing market [19][20] Group 3: Regulatory and Industry Response - The incident has prompted calls for clearer standards regarding ingredient testing and labeling in the beauty industry, particularly concerning plant-derived components [21] - Influencers and brands are now more cautious, with many opting to provide detailed ingredient information to mitigate regulatory risks [21] - The olive essence incident is seen as a pivotal moment in the live-streaming sales industry, potentially influencing future practices and regulations [19][20]

Core Insights - The Deloitte report titled "2025 Global Retail Power" highlights the dual challenges and opportunities in the global retail sector, with total retail revenue reaching a record high of $6.03 trillion (approximately 43.4 trillion RMB) [1] - The report emphasizes the increasing concentration of the industry and the urgent need for Chinese retail companies to navigate global competition [1] Global Retail Landscape: Growth, Differentiation, and Power Dynamics - The global retail landscape shows a mixed growth pattern, with the top 250 retail companies experiencing a 3.6% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by inflation and structural growth [2] - North America leads with 85 companies contributing 49.2% of global revenue, while Europe has 89 companies at 33.6%, facing challenges from online retail and declining consumer demand [4] - The Asia-Pacific region, with 54 companies contributing 13.8% of revenue, shows potential but lags behind North America and Europe in global revenue share and internationalization [4] Company Performance and Trends - Walmart remains the top global retailer with a revenue of 464.9 billion RMB, leveraging its extensive store network and supply chain efficiency [6] - Amazon ranks second with 180.7 billion RMB in revenue, focusing on a retail-tech ecosystem that enhances consumer experience [7] - SHEIN, a rising star in cross-border e-commerce, reported 219.9 billion RMB in revenue with an 88.2% compound annual growth rate, showcasing its agile supply chain and data-driven fashion model [13][15] Challenges and Strategic Shifts - JD.com, despite being the only Chinese company in the top ten, saw a decline in global ranking, highlighting challenges in market saturation and competition from local players [11] - Alibaba's new retail strategy has faced difficulties, leading to a significant drop in global ranking, as the company shifts focus from heavy asset ownership to platform empowerment [16][17] - Watson's Group has shown resilience in the beauty retail sector, leveraging a multi-channel approach and brand innovation to maintain growth [18] Future Trends and Recommendations - The report identifies four key trends shaping the future of retail: strategic operational efficiency, AI-driven transformation, sustainability, and alternative revenue sources [54][55] - Chinese retail companies are encouraged to embrace these trends to enhance competitiveness in the global market, focusing on globalization, digital transformation, and innovative business models [60][61][62]