Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant decline in sales of the skincare product "可复美胶原棒2.0" (Kefumei Collagen Stick 2.0) due to quality concerns raised by external parties, leading to a broader impact on the parent company, 巨子生物控股有限公司 (Juzi Biotech) [2][3][4]. Sales Performance - Sales of the Kefumei Collagen Stick 2.0 have dropped by 60% to 70% compared to April 2023, severely affecting individual distributors like 李吉 (Li Ji) [3][5]. - The product's price has fallen from 178 yuan to 150 yuan per box, resulting in losses for distributors who had previously stocked up at higher prices [5][11]. - The company's performance during the "6·18" sales event saw a decline in rankings and sales, marking the first time in three years that it did not disclose sales data for this period [4][9][10]. Market Impact - The controversy began with a report from a beauty influencer questioning the collagen content in the product, which led to a significant drop in consumer trust and sales [5][6]. - The number of influencers promoting the product decreased by 32% during the "6·18" period compared to the previous year, indicating a shift in marketing dynamics [7][9]. Company Response - 巨子生物 acknowledged the limitations of its quality standards and testing methods in a public statement, indicating a need for improvement [6][10]. - Despite the challenges, the company maintains its revenue targets for 2025 and expresses confidence in recovering from the losses incurred during the sales event [4][10]. Financial Overview - 巨子生物 reported a compound annual growth rate of 52.8% in revenue from 2022 to 2024, with a net profit growth rate of 43.5% [10][12]. - The company’s stock price has seen fluctuations, dropping nearly 40% since May 24, but showed a slight recovery following announcements of share buybacks by its major shareholder [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate between two major companies regarding the restructuring of collagen detection methods highlights the industry's need for standardized testing protocols and the challenges posed by varying product quality in the market [1][4][6]. Group 1: Company Actions and Statements - Huaxi Biological published an article asserting the need for industry standards based on testing results, revealing that their product "Runbaiyan" was tested for collagen content using advanced HPLC-HRMS technology, yielding a result of 0.60 mg/g (0.06%) for type III collagen [2][3]. - Huaxi Biological emphasized that their testing method effectively eliminates matrix interference and ensures accurate detection of recombinant collagen, addressing concerns about the reliability of their results [2][3]. - Juzhi Biological acknowledged the limitations of their existing quality standards and testing methods, stating the need for continuous optimization to meet industry advancements and consumer expectations [5][6]. Group 2: Industry Implications - The debate over collagen measurement methods has been ongoing since May, with Huaxi Biological criticizing misleading conclusions from industry reports and calling for a unified testing standard [4][6]. - Juzhi Biological has committed to collaborating with research institutions to enhance detection methods and to gradually disclose key technical parameters and quality control data to foster industry development and transparency [5]. - The lack of a unified detection method has been described as a strategy to evade scrutiny, highlighting the industry's regulatory challenges and the necessity for verifiable solutions [6].

Industry Environment - The beauty industry is facing significant challenges due to a decline in consumer spending and cautious economic conditions, with CPI and PPI showing year-on-year decreases. Brands are adapting by focusing on functional and emotional value to drive growth, emphasizing the importance of user needs and differentiated advantages [1] - International beauty brands are leveraging top influencers on Douyin to boost sales, with international brands occupying 7 out of the top 10 beauty spots in May. The collaboration model is evolving from simple sales to full-value co-creation, while domestic brands are exploring high-end paths amidst intense competition [2] - Luxury and premium brands are struggling with frequent discounting, which undermines brand value and consumer trust. This has led to a "discount-only" shopping habit among consumers, necessitating a balance between maintaining high-end positioning and meeting sales demands [4] - During the 618 shopping festival, Taobao's beauty segment accounted for 45.1% of total sales, outperforming Douyin and JD. Notable products quickly surpassed sales of 100 million, indicating strong competition and the importance of new product launches [5] - Herbal skincare products are gaining popularity, with 76% of consumers preferring natural herbal ingredients. The market is seeing significant growth, driven by a trend towards "pure beauty" and "precise skincare" [6] Major Brand Developments - A major acquisition in the personal care sector occurred when a maternal and infant giant invested 1.65 billion yuan to acquire a leading hair care service provider, aiming to enhance service offerings and user engagement [8] - Dolce & Gabbana secured 150 million euros in funding to expand its beauty division, targeting 1 billion euros in sales by 2027. The brand is focusing on regaining market presence in China after previous controversies [9] - Camel Outdoor Beauty is focusing on outdoor skincare, leveraging its parent company's expertise to create specialized products for outdoor conditions, with a target of 150 million GMV [10] - The luxury perfume brand AMOUAGE opened its first flagship store in Asia, aiming to enhance its market presence and provide a high-end customer experience, with sales exceeding 100 million dollars in Q1 2024 [11]

Core Viewpoint - The company, Xi'an Juzhi Biological Gene Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Juzhi Biological"), has issued a statement addressing controversies surrounding its recombinant collagen product, Kefu Mei, emphasizing its commitment to quality standards and ongoing improvements in response to industry developments [1][2]. Group 1: Company Background and Standards - Juzhi Biological applied for the first domestic invention patent related to recombinant collagen in 2001, naming the innovative substance "human-like collagen" and applying for the "human-like" trademark [1]. - The company has accumulated over 20 years of technical expertise, transitioning the substance from laboratory research to industrial application [1]. - Multiple industry standards related to recombinant collagen have been established, including the 2021 "Guidelines for Naming Recombinant Collagen Biological Materials" and the 2022 medical industry standard YY/T 1849-2022 [1]. Group 2: Quality Control and Self-Inspection - The company claims that its product development and production adhere to established standards, implementing quality control measures for raw materials and products [2]. - In response to the controversies, Juzhi Biological conducted a comprehensive self-inspection of all production, testing, and labeling processes, validating different testing methods [2]. - The company acknowledged limitations in its existing quality standards and testing methods, indicating a need for continuous optimization to meet evolving industry standards [2]. Group 3: Controversy and Response - The controversy began when a beauty blogger accused Juzhi Biological's Kefu Mei product of ingredient fraud, claiming the actual collagen content was only 0.0177% [3]. - Juzhi Biological refuted these claims, stating that their testing results showed collagen content exceeding 0.1%, contradicting the blogger's assertions [3]. - The dispute centers on differing testing methods, with both parties accusing each other of using "unscientific" approaches, as there are currently no national standards for testing recombinant collagen in cosmetics [3]. Group 4: Market Impact - As of June 23, Juzhi Biological's total market value was HKD 54.83 billion, reflecting a nearly 40% decline from its peak on May 20 [4].

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival has undergone a significant transformation this year, with a shift in focus from extreme GMV pursuit to enhancing brand value and consumer experience [2][20][31] Group 1: Market Performance - From January to May 2023, the retail sales of cosmetics in China reached 188.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%, with May's sales at 43.5 billion yuan, up 4.4% [2][4] - The overall e-commerce sales during the 618 festival reached 855.6 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of 15.2%, with skincare sales at 43.2 billion yuan and fragrance and makeup at 14.3 billion yuan [5][6] - High-end beauty brands saw significant growth, with brands like YSL and Hourglass reporting over 60% year-on-year increases [9][10] Group 2: E-commerce Platform Changes - Major e-commerce platforms, particularly Tmall, have simplified their promotional strategies, eliminating complex rules and focusing on direct discounts to enhance consumer experience [14][20] - Tmall's 618 festival saw a 9% year-on-year growth in the first cycle, with a significant increase in user engagement and purchasing intent [18][23] - The introduction of features like "sold-out add-to-cart" has improved inventory management for merchants while enhancing the shopping experience for consumers [17][20] Group 3: Brand Dynamics - International beauty brands have experienced strong growth on Tmall, with a ratio of domestic to international brands at 5:15 [7] - New and innovative brands have emerged, with some achieving over 900% growth during the 618 festival, indicating a shift towards quality and innovation in the beauty sector [10][12] - The consumer preference for familiar brands has increased, with 47% of Chinese consumers indicating a tendency to choose known brands, up 14 percentage points from 2024 [22][23] Group 4: Future Trends - The beauty industry is moving towards a phase where brand value, product innovation, and operational efficiency are prioritized over mere sales volume [31][32] - E-commerce platforms are focusing on supporting high-quality brands and providing strategic guidance to enhance brand growth [26][29] - The market is transitioning from a focus on traffic-driven growth to a more sustainable model that emphasizes brand loyalty and consumer satisfaction [31][32]

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival has seen significant changes in rules and strategies across e-commerce platforms, leading to a transformation in the beauty brand landscape, with international brands making a strong comeback while domestic brands face challenges [1][22] - The shift from a "price war" era to a focus on brand value and consumer experience marks a new phase for beauty brands, emphasizing the importance of quality and innovation [24] E-commerce Platform Performance - Tmall's 618 pre-sale data shows that international brands dominate the top rankings, with only a few domestic brands making it into the top 20, indicating a 5:15 ratio of domestic to international brands [2] - JD.com reported a nearly 300% year-on-year increase in sales for perfume and makeup sets on May 20, with overall beauty product sales doubling during the festival [5][11] - Douyin's beauty brand rankings have shifted significantly, with high-end international brands achieving explosive growth, while white-label brands have virtually disappeared from the charts [9][22] Changes in Promotional Strategies - The 618 festival duration has been extended to 35-40 days, with platforms simplifying promotional mechanisms to enhance consumer shopping experiences [13][16] - Platforms have moved towards straightforward discount strategies, eliminating complex promotional tactics that previously deterred consumer engagement [16][17] - E-commerce platforms are now focusing on balancing the interests of consumers, platforms, and merchants, moving away from strategies that heavily favored consumers at the expense of merchants [17][18] Brand Dynamics - International beauty brands have regained competitive advantages during the 618 festival, with brands like Helena and SK-II seeing significant sales growth on Douyin [22][23] - The shift in platform strategies towards supporting high-quality brands is beneficial for established international brands and leading domestic brands like Proya, but poses challenges for mid-tier domestic brands [23][24] - E-commerce platforms are investing heavily in brand support, with Tmall and JD.com committing substantial resources to foster brand growth and improve the overall shopping experience [19][21]

Group 1 - The beauty blogger "Dr. Big Mouth" (Hao Yu) raised questions about the testing results released by Giant Bio, specifically regarding the choice of testing methods and the accuracy of the results [1] - Concerns were expressed about the discrepancy between the claimed 100% homology of recombinant collagen with human collagen and the actual 86% homology based on Giant Bio's own patent [1] - The blogger highlighted the lack of a blank control in the biuret test, which is crucial for accurately measuring the presence of recombinant collagen in the formulation [1] Group 2 - Recently, the international testing company SGS declined a testing request from the blogger's team, citing the controversial nature of the tests and a desire to avoid involvement [2] - The blogger criticized SGS for its decision to return the testing request, arguing that testing institutions should uphold social responsibility beyond profit motives [2] - In response to Giant Bio's statement about the availability of its products, the blogger encouraged legal entities to collect samples for future consumer protection efforts [2]

Core Viewpoint - The company, Juzi Biotechnology, clarified that its product, Kefu Mei, contains genuine recombinant collagen and denied allegations of false advertising and misleading consumers [1] Group 1 - Juzi Biotechnology announced the testing results of its recombinant collagen products through Kefu Mei's Weibo account [1] - The company stated that since April 16, the Kefu Mei Collagen Stick 2.0 has been launched, while the previous version, Kefu Mei Collagen Stick 1.0, has been sold out and is being phased out [1] - There is no truth to the rumors regarding the "quiet removal" of the Kefu Mei products, as some channels still have inventory available for sale [1]

Core Viewpoint - The 618 shopping festival has undergone significant changes this year, with a longer duration and simplified promotional rules, leading to a shift in the beauty brand landscape where international brands are regaining prominence while domestic brands face pressure [2][20]. Group 1: Performance of Beauty Brands - Major beauty brands such as Proya, Lancôme, L'Oréal, and SK-II achieved over 100 million in GMV during the early stages of the 618 festival [3]. - International beauty brands outperformed domestic brands on platforms like Tmall, with a ratio of 5:1 in terms of brand representation in the top 20 rankings [3]. - The beauty category has become a core driver of sales growth across various platforms during the 618 festival [12]. Group 2: Changes in E-commerce Platforms - This year's 618 festival is the longest in history, with platforms like Tmall and JD.com extending the promotional period to around 39-40 days [13][14]. - E-commerce platforms have simplified promotional mechanisms, moving away from complex discount strategies to more straightforward price reductions and coupons [15][16]. - Platforms are focusing on balancing the interests of consumers, brands, and the platform itself, moving away from the previous price war strategy [16][20]. Group 3: Growth Trends and Strategies - JD.com reported significant growth in beauty product sales, with categories like lipsticks and serums seeing over 100% year-on-year growth [6]. - Douyin's beauty brand ecosystem has shifted, with high-end brands experiencing explosive growth while white-label products have disappeared from the rankings [9][20]. - Platforms are investing heavily in supporting quality brands, with Tmall and JD.com committing substantial resources to enhance brand visibility and sales [17][18]. Group 4: Implications for Domestic Brands - The shift towards supporting established brands may pose challenges for mid-tier domestic brands, which now face a more competitive environment [21]. - Domestic brands like Proya are solidifying their market position, while others must adapt to the changing landscape to maintain growth [22]. - The end of the price war signifies a new phase focused on brand value, product innovation, and user experience, presenting both opportunities and challenges for domestic brands [22].

Group 1 - Tmall's 618 shopping festival saw over 13,000 brands double their sales in the first hour, with 43 brands including Apple, Midea, and Nike surpassing 100 million yuan in sales, marking a 50% increase in the number of brands in the "billion yuan club" compared to last year [1][4][9] - Beauty brands such as Proya, Lancôme, and L'Oréal achieved over 100 million yuan in sales within the first hour, while 32 products exceeded 10 million yuan in sales within 30 minutes [4][5] - High-end and light luxury sports brands experienced significant growth, with brands like lululemon and Hoka one one seeing sales increases of over 160% and 400% respectively [5][9] Group 2 - Tmall's adjustments to promotional rules, such as eliminating cross-store discounts and lowering coupon usage thresholds, contributed to a better shopping experience, leading to increased brand sales [9][10] - The focus of this year's 618 festival shifted from price wars to high cost-performance competition, emphasizing product quality and service rather than just the lowest prices [10][18] - Tmall's president emphasized the importance of supporting quality brands that can create innovative products and retain customer loyalty [13][20] Group 3 - Major e-commerce platforms, including Tmall and Pinduoduo, are investing heavily in supporting quality merchants, indicating a shift in competition from traffic acquisition to quality enhancement [18][22] - Alibaba plans to invest 2 billion yuan in cash subsidies for brands and merchants during the 618 festival, while Pinduoduo announced a 100 billion yuan support plan over the next three years [20][21] - The simplification of promotional rules is expected to help merchants better plan their sales activities and focus on providing quality products [20][22]