Investment Rating - The investment rating for the industry is "Positive" and maintained [15] Core Insights - The report analyzes the differences in positioning, business models, and expansion paths between Haier and Uniqlo, both of which focus on high cost-performance in the apparel market [10][25] - Uniqlo has established itself as a global leader in casual wear, achieving retail sales of 37.8 billion yuan in China, while Haier ranks first in men's apparel with sales of 29.3 billion yuan [10][25] - Both brands initially adopted low-cost sales and store opening strategies to establish their single-store models, but their paths diverged significantly during growth phases [12][13] Summary by Sections Introduction - Uniqlo is recognized for its SPA model and successful global expansion, while Haier focuses on high cost-performance in business casual menswear [10][25] - As of 2024, Uniqlo's retail sales in China reached 37.8 billion yuan, making it the largest apparel brand, while Haier's sales were 29.3 billion yuan, leading in men's apparel [10][25] Business Model Exploration - Positioning: Haier targets mid to low-tier cities with a focus on business casual menswear, while Uniqlo emphasizes daily wear and has a more diverse customer base in high-tier cities [11][34] - Operations: Uniqlo employs a SAP model for integrated control from product development to retail, while Haier relies on a more decentralized supply chain management approach [11][12] Expansion Path Differences - Initial Phase: Haier utilized a light asset model for efficient expansion in a fragmented market, while Uniqlo focused on product upgrades and direct store models for growth [12][13] - Later Phase: Haier faces challenges in domestic expansion and efficiency, prompting entry into new retail formats, while Uniqlo accelerates global expansion leveraging its strong brand and product capabilities [12][13] Market Comparison - Haier's store count reached 5,812 by Q1 2025, primarily in lower-tier cities, while Uniqlo had 1,032 stores, mostly in higher-tier cities [39][40] - Uniqlo's store efficiency significantly outperforms Haier, with a store efficiency of 29.28 million yuan compared to Haier's 4.28 million yuan [53][50]