Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation and recovery of Three Squirrels, a snack company, after experiencing a significant decline in revenue from 2019 to 2022, emphasizing the importance of adapting to market changes and internal restructuring to regain competitiveness [3][10][15]. Group 1: Company Performance and Challenges - Three Squirrels' revenue peaked at 12 billion yuan in 2019 but faced a continuous decline over the next four years, failing to reach that figure again until 2024 [3][10]. - The company experienced a drop in net profit, reverting to levels seen in 2016, and struggled with ineffective expansion into offline channels during the pandemic [10][12]. - The competitive landscape shifted dramatically, with traditional giants and new entrants eroding Three Squirrels' market share, necessitating a reevaluation of its business strategy [6][7][15]. Group 2: Internal Restructuring and Management Changes - The CEO, Zhang Liaoyuan, shifted from a traditional management style to empowering a new generation of "Mini CEOs," streamlining processes to enhance efficiency [6][16]. - The company underwent significant internal changes, including simplifying product development processes and reducing bureaucratic layers, which previously hindered innovation [12][14]. - A focus on a "high-end cost-performance" strategy was introduced, prioritizing consumer needs and operational efficiency over brand prestige [15][16]. Group 3: Market Strategy and New Initiatives - Three Squirrels launched 33 new sub-brands in a bid to diversify its product offerings and leverage its existing brand influence [20][21]. - The company is expanding its distribution channels, including partnerships with discount supermarkets and convenience stores, to enhance market penetration [22][27]. - A new retail format, "Yifenli Convenience Store," was developed to address pricing issues in traditional retail, aiming to reduce markups and improve consumer access to products [26][27]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Vision - The company aims to become a "super supply chain company," focusing on direct sourcing and efficient production to maintain competitive pricing [23][24]. - Zhang Liaoyuan emphasizes the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing market, advocating for a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the organization [17][28]. - The strategic vision includes a commitment to community engagement and understanding consumer needs, positioning Three Squirrels for sustainable growth in the evolving retail landscape [28].

Group 1 - The convenience store sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with a 9.1% year-on-year increase in retail sales, outperforming other retail formats [1] - The total number of convenience stores in China is projected to reach 196,000 by the end of 2024, reflecting a net increase of 14,000 stores, or 7.7% growth compared to 2023 [2] - The top three convenience store brands in terms of store count are Meiyijia (37,943 stores), Sinopec Easy Joy (28,635 stores), and PetroChina Kunlun (19,700 stores) [6][7] Group 2 - Meiyijia's aggressive expansion strategy has led to the opening of 4,095 new stores in one year, averaging 11.2 new stores per day [8] - The top 20 convenience store brands account for 75.57% of the total store count among the top 100, indicating a trend towards industry consolidation [6] - The convenience store market in China still has significant growth potential, with many cities having a low saturation rate of stores per capita compared to international standards [12] Group 3 - The competition in the convenience store sector is intensifying, with traditional players facing challenges from discount stores and online platforms [19] - The integration of online and offline sales channels is becoming essential, with nearly 40% of convenience store companies having adopted instant retail services by 2024 [20] - New entrants like Three Squirrels and Kudi Coffee are disrupting the market by leveraging their supply chain capabilities to offer competitive pricing [13][17] Group 4 - Convenience stores are evolving into "24-hour service stations," offering a wider range of products and services to enhance customer experience [25] - The trend of cross-industry collaboration is expected to grow, with convenience stores integrating offerings from food, fresh produce, and pharmacy sectors [26] - The focus on fresh food sales is increasing, with over 71% of surveyed companies prioritizing the optimization of fresh food categories to improve profit margins [25]