Core Insights - Budweiser Group's CEO Michel Doukeris participated in the 37th Shanghai International Business Leaders Advisory Council (IBLAC), emphasizing the company's commitment to contributing to Shanghai's international urban development and the night economy [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy - Budweiser Group has introduced the "Tomorrowland" electronic music festival to Shanghai, marking its first indoor version in Asia, scheduled for November 2025 [2] - The company has established nearly 30 breweries across China since entering the market in 1984, with over 50 brands including Budweiser, Harbin, and Corona, laying a solid market foundation [2] - Budweiser Group aims to deepen its premium strategy and leverage the growth of the night economy to seize broader opportunities in the Chinese market [2] Group 2: Night Economy Development - The active development of the night economy is a key indicator of a city's modernization and vitality, with Shanghai leading in this area [1] - Doukeris highlighted the alignment of goals between Shanghai and Budweiser Group in promoting the night economy, proposing a systematic plan that combines global perspectives with local practices [1] - Budweiser Group plans to enhance its contributions to Shanghai's night economy by introducing iconic IPs and sharing international experiences [1]

Core Viewpoint - Budweiser APAC is shifting its strategic focus towards non-drink channels, demonstrating operational resilience and long-term growth potential despite market challenges in the first half of 2025 [1] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Budweiser APAC reported revenue of $3.136 billion, a decrease of 5.6% year-on-year, but achieved a 0.5% year-on-year increase in revenue per hectoliter due to diversified brand matrix and refined revenue management in the eastern region [1] - As of the end of the first half of 2025, the company had a net cash reserve of $2.4 billion, indicating a robust asset-liability structure [1] Strategic Focus - The company aims to enhance its market share in non-drink channels, leveraging its distribution network to expand the presence of high-end and super high-end products [2] - Budweiser APAC's CEO emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors, including continued investment in flagship brands and accelerating the expansion of non-drink channels [1][3] Market Trends - The non-drink channel is steadily increasing its share of overall sales and revenue, contributing to an improvement in EBITDA profit margins [1] - The non-drink channel currently accounts for approximately 60% of the total industry scale in the Chinese market, with significant growth potential as consumer disposable income rises [1] Regional Performance - Budweiser APAC's operations in India are experiencing strong growth, with double-digit increases in sales and revenue for high-end and super high-end product lines [3] - The company's performance in South Korea is outperforming industry averages in both drink and non-drink channels, benefiting from effective revenue management measures [3] Collaboration and Innovation - The company is actively developing new primary and secondary distributors to expand its sales network and is collaborating with distributors to invest in expanding the non-drink sales team [2] - Budweiser APAC is focusing on product innovation and packaging design to enhance consumer drinking experiences [3]