Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the journey of a new liquor brand, Guangliang, which successfully navigated the challenges of the traditional liquor market by focusing on offline sales and innovative product transparency through data labeling [4][8][12]. Group 1: Company Background - Guangliang was founded by Zhao Xiaopu, who initially ventured into the liquor industry in 2013 but faced failure with an online-only brand. After a hiatus, he returned to the liquor market in 2018, focusing on traditional sales channels and partnerships with distributors [6][20]. - The brand has achieved significant market penetration, with over 1 million retail terminals and cumulative sales of 400 million bottles within five years, maintaining a 30% year-on-year growth in a challenging market [7][39]. Group 2: Product Strategy - Guangliang introduced the concept of "data bottles," which transparently display the composition of the liquor, appealing to consumers' desire for informed choices. The pricing ranges from 25 to 75 yuan, making it accessible [9][10]. - The brand's success is attributed to its strategic positioning in the affordable segment, aggressive marketing, and targeting underdeveloped markets, which traditional brands often overlook [10][11]. Group 3: Distribution and Sales Strategy - Zhao Xiaopu emphasizes that product quality accounts for only 20% of the brand's success, with 80% relying on effective distributor relationships. The liquor industry is characterized by extensive retail networks, requiring strong on-the-ground sales efforts [11][27]. - The company adopted a "rural encircling urban" strategy, initially leveraging relationships with experienced distributors to establish a foothold in the market [28][30]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - The article highlights a shift in consumer preferences towards value and quality, leading to the rise of the light bottle liquor market, which has grown from a billion to a thousand billion yuan market size [10][92]. - The competitive landscape is evolving, with traditional brands beginning to explore light bottle offerings, but Zhao believes Guangliang's early market entry provides a competitive edge [94][96]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Guangliang aims to expand its presence in the remaining 2,000 county-level markets in China, having already penetrated 600. The focus remains on building distributor relationships and maintaining brand stability [98][100]. - The company is cautious about product expansion, prioritizing the stability of its distributor network over launching new products, as the liquor industry is slow-moving and requires careful market education [83][106].