Core Insights - JD Discount Supermarket's "Warm Winter Hot Pot Season" campaign during the 11.11 shopping festival has significantly boosted sales in categories such as hot pot, warmth, and skincare products [1][3] - The upcoming "Thousand Pigs and Ten Thousand Tons of Vegetables" plan aims to further stimulate urban consumption by offering fresh-cut meats and low-priced vegetables [1][7] Sales Performance - Hot pot meat slice sales increased by 97% month-on-month, while hot pot seasoning sales surged by 158%, highlighting the "hot pot economy" effect [3] - Consumers are increasingly favoring high-quality products like original cut meats and specialty seasonings, with a preference for one-stop shopping experiences [3] Product Offerings - The prices for original cut lamb rolls and beef rolls are set at 56.9 yuan/kg and 65.9 yuan/kg respectively, providing consumers with affordable options for high-quality hot pot ingredients [5] - Collaborations with leading brands like Haidilao have allowed JD Discount Supermarket to offer competitive prices on hot pot bases and dipping sauces, with some products priced as low as 5.5 yuan per bag [5] Seasonal Trends - The sales of warming and skincare products have seen a week-on-week increase of 320%, with warming patches experiencing a staggering 586% growth [7] - Traditional warming items such as hats and scarves have also maintained stable growth [7] Future Plans - The "11.11 JD Pork Festival" will feature live demonstrations of fresh meat cutting and low-priced vegetable offerings, enhancing consumer engagement through immersive shopping experiences [7][10] - JD Discount Supermarket aims to continue its focus on discount retail, providing quality and affordable products to activate consumption potential in rural areas and set new trends in modern family consumption [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the trend among young people to engage in DIY (do-it-yourself) projects as a means to save money, highlighting the potential pitfalls and time investments involved in this approach [4][9][23]. Group 1: DIY as a Cost-Saving Strategy - Many young individuals, like Li Zishan, attempt to save money by creating their own products, such as lip balm, using low-cost raw materials [7][10]. - The article provides examples of how DIY projects can appear to be cost-effective, such as making a tea table for under 200 yuan compared to a market price of 600-700 yuan [10]. - Li Zishan's experience shows that her homemade lip balm cost only about 3 yuan per stick, significantly less than the 30-40 yuan for store-bought versions, allowing her to save over 100 yuan in a winter season [7][11]. Group 2: Time vs. Money - The article emphasizes a shift in mindset among young people, who are willing to invest time to save money, contrasting the traditional view of "buying time with money" [16][23]. - DIY projects often require significant time investment, as seen in the case of Xiao Min, who spent over 12 hours making a doll's outfit, which, when calculated at her hourly wage, cost nearly 1,000 yuan [33]. - The time required for DIY projects can lead to frustration and realization that the effort may not be worth the savings, as illustrated by Xiao Min's dissatisfaction with her sewing skills [34][44]. Group 3: The Reality of DIY - The article points out that while DIY can seem like a way to escape consumerism, it often leads to additional costs and challenges, such as health issues from prolonged sitting during crafting [29][31]. - Many individuals, including Mao Mao, find themselves accumulating materials and spending more than intended, contradicting the original goal of saving money [37][39]. - The narrative concludes that the true cost of DIY projects often includes not just materials but also the value of time and effort, leading to the realization that some expenses cannot be avoided [44].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how young people are increasingly turning to DIY (do-it-yourself) projects as a strategy to save money, but often find that the time and effort invested may not yield the expected financial benefits, leading to a realization that "the free is often the most expensive" [4][19][29]. Summary by Sections DIY as a Money-Saving Strategy - Many young individuals, like Li Zishan, are attempting to save money by creating their own products, such as lip balm, using low-cost raw materials [6][8]. - The article highlights various DIY projects, from furniture to daily necessities, where the perceived cost savings are often misleading [8][19]. Personal Experiences - Li Zishan, who previously spent 30-40 yuan on lip balm, managed to create her own for just over 3 yuan, demonstrating significant savings [6][9]. - Another individual, Xiao Min, attempted to make clothes for her small dolls but found the costs and time involved exceeded simply purchasing ready-made items [10][23]. Time vs. Money - The article emphasizes a shift in mindset among young people, who are willing to "spend time to save money," contrasting with the traditional view of spending money for convenience [13][19]. - The time investment required for DIY projects often leads to frustration, as seen in Xiao Min's experience where she spent over 12 hours on a small garment, ultimately realizing it was not worth the effort [23][25]. Challenges and Realizations - Many DIY enthusiasts face challenges in mastering the necessary skills, leading to subpar results that diminish the perceived value of their efforts [19][25]. - The article notes that while DIY can provide a sense of control and personal satisfaction, it often does not translate into actual savings when time and effort are factored in [19][28]. Consumerism and Identity - The narrative explores how young people are questioning the value of consumer goods and the identity tied to purchasing branded items, leading them to seek alternatives through DIY [9][28]. - Li Zishan's journey reflects a broader trend of individuals seeking fulfillment beyond material possessions, aiming for a more self-sufficient lifestyle [29].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the trend among young people to engage in DIY (do-it-yourself) projects as a means to save money, highlighting the paradox that while these activities seem cost-effective, they often require significant time and effort, leading to the realization that "free" can be the most expensive option in terms of time invested [5][38]. Group 1: DIY as a Cost-Saving Strategy - Many young individuals are attempting to save money by creating their own products, from lip balm to furniture, by purchasing raw materials and following online tutorials [11][12]. - For example, a young woman named Li Zishan calculated that making her own lip balm cost her only about 3 yuan per stick, significantly less than the market price, allowing her to save over 100 yuan in a winter season [8][12]. - The article presents various examples of DIY projects, such as homemade soap and cleaning enzymes, which can lead to substantial savings compared to store-bought alternatives [11][24]. Group 2: The Reality of Time Investment - Engaging in DIY projects often requires a considerable time commitment, which can negate the financial savings when calculated against the individual's hourly wage [18][31]. - For instance, a young woman named Xiao Min spent over 12 hours making a tiny doll outfit, which, when factoring in her potential earnings, made the cost of the DIY project nearly equivalent to purchasing a ready-made garment [31]. - The article emphasizes that while DIY can provide a sense of accomplishment and personalization, the time and effort involved can lead to frustration and a realization that purchasing ready-made items may be more practical [25][31]. Group 3: The Psychological Aspect of DIY - The article explores the psychological motivations behind DIY projects, suggesting that for some, it represents a shift in mindset away from consumerism towards a more self-sufficient lifestyle [38]. - Li Zishan, for example, reflects on her journey from being a "money-spending" consumer to someone who finds fulfillment in creating her own products, indicating a deeper search for meaning beyond material possessions [39]. - However, the article also notes that many DIY enthusiasts find themselves caught in a cycle of spending on materials, which can contradict their initial goal of saving money [34][39].

Group 1 - Louis Vuitton opened its first independent perfume and beauty boutique in Nanjing, China, with a new lipstick series priced at 1200 yuan and a replacement core at 510 yuan, launching on August 25 [2] - Sporty & Rich launched a limited-time pop-up space "WELLNESS CLUB" in Shanghai, inspired by California's native ecology, promoting a lifestyle of health and self-care [4] - Pas Normal Studios opened its flagship store in Shanghai, focusing on community interaction and cycling culture, following its first store in Beijing [6] Group 2 - TWOI Design Lab opened its first store in Shanghai, targeting young women with a "cream style" aesthetic, offering clothing, shoes, and accessories [7] - TravelDepot plans to open its first global flagship store in Hangzhou, covering 300-500 square meters, focusing on travel-related products and services [10] - ONE MOMENT opened its first store in Chengdu, featuring a modern retro style aimed at young women [14] Group 3 - Anta's first "Rizhao Jinshan" themed store opened in Shenyang, showcasing outdoor and all-weather apparel across three floors [18] - Decathlon responded to rumors of selling 30% of its Chinese subsidiary, emphasizing its commitment to long-term development in China [20] - Pandora announced plans to close 100 stores in China, expanding its initial plan to close 50 stores due to declining sales [22] Group 4 - Xianyu opened its first circular store in Shenzhen, integrating resale and recycling into its business model [21] - Hema Fresh opened four new stores in China, with plans to open nearly 100 more this fiscal year [23] - Aldi is entering the Nanjing market with its first store [24] Group 5 - JD's discount supermarket opened its first store in Zhuozhou, featuring over 5000 high-quality products and plans for rapid expansion [27] - JD's Seven Fresh Food MALL plans to expand nationwide after successful operations in Harbin [28] - TOP TOY completed a new round of financing led by Temasek, achieving a valuation of 10 billion HKD [29] Group 6 - Lao Pu Gold reported a 249.4% increase in sales revenue for the first half of 2025, with an average sales performance of approximately 4.59 billion yuan per store [32] - Pop Mart's revenue for the first half of 2025 reached 138.8 billion yuan, exceeding the total revenue for 2024 [33] - Miniso's revenue for the first half of 2025 was 93.93 billion yuan, with a net profit increase of 11% [34] Group 7 - Amer Sports reported a 42% revenue increase in the Greater China region for Q2 2025 [35] - Li Ning's revenue for the first half of 2025 grew by 3.3% to 148.2 billion yuan [37] - Xtep Group's revenue for the first half of 2025 increased by 7.1% to 68.38 billion yuan [38] Group 8 - Estée Lauder's net sales for the 2025 fiscal year declined by 8%, marking the third consecutive year of decline [39] - Walmart China reported a 30.1% increase in net sales for Q2 2026, with e-commerce sales growing by 39% [41] - Authentic Brands Group announced the acquisition of Guess for 1.4 billion USD, including debt [42]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses various humorous and relatable anecdotes about job experiences, highlighting the challenges and quirks of different occupations, particularly in service and part-time roles [1]. Group 1: Job Experiences - A service worker shares a story about breaking multiple items while working, leading to a decision to resign due to feeling inadequate [34]. - A part-time worker describes a light workload at a wedding service job, contrasting it with more stressful experiences in other roles [35]. - An anecdote about a worker in a convenience store expresses frustration over complicated prize redemption processes, leading to resignation [35]. Group 2: Student Life and Education - A suggestion is made to allow university students to monitor high school exams, which could benefit both high school students and university students [29]. - The article humorously proposes that high school exams be held at universities to enhance the potential of high school students while giving university students a break [30]. Group 3: Humor and Relatability - The article includes various humorous comments and observations about everyday life, such as the absurdity of certain situations and the challenges of communication in different contexts [43][47]. - Anecdotes about misunderstandings and funny interactions in service roles are shared, emphasizing the lighter side of work experiences [37][41].

Group 1 - The luxury brand Louis Vuitton (LV) is set to open its first beauty store in Nanjing, China, rather than in first-tier cities like Beijing or Shanghai, indicating a strategic choice based on the strong consumer spending power in Nanjing [1] - Nanjing Deji Plaza is projected to achieve a record sales revenue of 24.5 billion yuan in 2024, while Beijing SKP, the long-time leader in high-end retail, is expected to see a 17% decline in sales to 22 billion yuan [1] - LV's new beauty store will operate more like a boutique rather than a traditional department store counter, ensuring brand consistency and customer experience through direct brand management [1] Group 2 - LV recently announced the launch of its beauty line, LA BEAUTÉ LOUIS VUITTON, with a collection set to debut in Fall 2025, including 55 lipsticks, 10 lip balms, and 8 eyeshadow palettes [2] - The beauty segment is one of the few bright spots for LVMH, with the perfume and cosmetics division and Sephora's retail segment being the only two areas projected to show positive growth in 2024 [2] - Although LVMH does not disclose specific revenue figures for its beauty brands, third-party data suggests that Dior's beauty business generated approximately 2.1 billion euros in 2021, accounting for about 35% of its total sales [2] Group 3 - LVMH's Q1 2025 financial report showed a revenue of 20.31 billion euros, a slight decline of 2% year-on-year, falling short of analyst expectations for a 2% growth [3] - The decision to expand into the beauty sector is seen as a strategic response to the changing consumption behavior of high-net-worth individuals and a positive outlook for the high-end beauty market [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses various humorous and relatable experiences of individuals in different jobs, highlighting the challenges and absurdities faced in the workplace. Group 1 - The article features anecdotes from various jobs, including a server who broke multiple items and felt unfit for the job [35] - It mentions a part-time worker who faced difficulties in a sanitation role due to a misunderstanding with a supervisor [36] - The narrative includes a humorous take on a cashier's experience with a complicated reward system [36] Group 2 - The article reflects on the absurdity of job expectations, such as a worker being required to stand for long periods without sitting [36] - It showcases the light-hearted nature of job-related frustrations, with individuals sharing their reasons for leaving various positions [36][35] - The commentary on the experiences of part-time workers emphasizes the commonality of feeling out of place in certain roles [36]