Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The report focuses on the food and beverage industry, analyzing new consumer demands, products, and channels [1][2][3]. Key Points and Arguments New Consumer Demands - The emerging consumer base primarily consists of Generation Z (post-1995), characterized by a heightened self-awareness and faster development compared to previous generations [1]. - Government policies aimed at boosting consumption have been introduced, including the "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption" and "Consumer Service System Benefit Action 2025" [2]. - Consumer behavior is diversifying, with Generation Z and affluent groups showing more optimistic consumption attitudes, while middle-class and rural older consumers exhibit weaker consumption willingness [3]. Changes in Consumption Patterns - There is a notable shift towards value-for-money products, with consumers increasingly prioritizing cost-effectiveness [4]. - The market has identified four potential growth categories: education, food and beverages, health products, and travel, while three risk categories include home appliances, tobacco, and certain consumables [3]. - The health consciousness among consumers is rising, leading to increased demand for health-related products, with the health food market projected to reach 836.2 billion by 2027, reflecting a 42% growth from 2022 [5]. Innovations in Products and Channels - Companies are innovating to meet health demands, introducing products like konjac, seaweed, and quail eggs [6]. - The focus on cost-effectiveness has led to supply chain optimization, reducing intermediaries to lower prices for consumers [7]. - The beverage market is witnessing significant growth in sugar-free teas and plant-based drinks, with growth rates of 19% and 32% respectively [8]. New Sales Channels - The rise of temporary retail channels has transformed the market, with the temporary retail industry expected to grow from 211 billion in 2019 to 1.5 trillion by 2027 [12]. - Membership warehouse stores are gaining traction, with the market size increasing from 20 billion in 2012 to 36.4 billion in 2023 [14]. - Online sales are rapidly growing, with a 56% year-on-year increase in online sales across nine categories, surpassing 120 billion in 2023 [18]. Recommendations and Risks - The report suggests focusing on new products, channels, and consumer demands as key investment themes, maintaining a strong rating for the food and beverage industry [20]. - Specific recommendations include companies like Three Squirrels, Yili, and Qingdao Beer, while highlighting the potential for profitability recovery in dairy and seasoning sectors [21][22]. - Risks include raw material price fluctuations and intensified industry competition [23]. Additional Important Insights - The emotional value of consumption is increasing, with service-related spending rising from 43% in 2020 to 46% in 2024 [5]. - The shift in consumer purchasing habits is leading to a more significant online presence for traditional products, including liquor, which is becoming a focus for major brands [17].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" (maintained) [1] Core Viewpoints - The liquor industry is currently experiencing a bottoming phase, with a focus on the growth opportunities in the konjac segment. The food and beverage index increased by 0.6% from June 30 to July 4, ranking 19th among 28 sub-industries, underperforming the CSI 300 by approximately 0.9 percentage points. The meat products, liquor, and baked goods sub-industries showed relatively strong performance with increases of 1.2%, 1.2%, and 0.9% respectively [3][12][14] - The recent decline in liquor prices is attributed to the impact of e-commerce subsidies and restrictions on consumption due to the "ban on alcohol," which has compressed industry demand. However, liquor manufacturers are controlling market supply, leading to a temporary stabilization of liquor prices. Although there has been a slight accumulation of channel inventory, the overall inventory remains manageable due to a slowdown in shipments from manufacturers. The ongoing effects of the "ban on alcohol" are expected to continue, with increased pressure on liquor industry performance anticipated in the second quarter. The ban may accelerate industry consolidation and bottoming trends [3][12][14] - In the long term, the liquor industry is undergoing a transformation in consumer demand, with companies adapting by launching lower-alcohol products to cater to younger consumers and promoting family gatherings and casual drinking scenarios. Leading liquor companies maintain strong brand and channel competitiveness, which is expected to facilitate their transition during this industry transformation. Current low valuations and high dividend rates of leading liquor companies suggest they possess long-term investment value [3][12][14] Summary by Sections Market Performance - The food and beverage index increased by 0.6%, ranking 19th out of 28 sectors, underperforming the CSI 300 by approximately 0.9 percentage points. The leading sub-industries included meat products (+1.2%), liquor (+1.2%), and baked goods (+0.9%) [12][14] Upstream Data - As of July 1, the GDT auction price for whole milk powder was $3,859 per ton, down 5.5% month-on-month but up 19.9% year-on-year. The domestic fresh milk price was 3.0 yuan per kilogram, unchanged month-on-month but down 7.0% year-on-year. The domestic milk price is expected to continue its downward trend in the short to medium term [19][24] - On July 5, the price of pork was 20.4 yuan per kilogram, down 16.2% year-on-year, while the price of live pigs was 15.2 yuan per kilogram, down 16.5% year-on-year. The number of breeding sows was 40.42 million, up 1.2% year-on-year [27][28] Recommendations - Recommended stocks include Guizhou Moutai, Shanxi Fenjiu, Ximai Food, Wancheng Group, and Bairun Co. Guizhou Moutai is expected to deepen its reform process and emphasize sustainable development despite short-term demand pressures. Shanxi Fenjiu has high mid-term growth certainty, while Ximai Food is expected to improve profitability due to favorable raw material costs. Wancheng Group continues to expand its store count and target young consumers, and Bairun Co. is seeing improvements in its pre-mixed liquor segment [5][48]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report emphasizes the transformation of consumer demand from "pleasing others" to "self-pleasing," indicating a structural change in consumption patterns that favors new consumption trends over traditional ones [4][9] - The report identifies three main lines of investment focus: new demand, new products, and new channels, suggesting that companies that can quickly adapt to these changes will outperform in the market [4][6] - The report highlights the government's ongoing efforts to stimulate consumption through various policies, which are expected to enhance consumer confidence and income, leading to a gradual recovery in the consumption market [7][8] Group 2 - New demand is characterized by a focus on cost-effectiveness, emotional value, and health consciousness among consumers, driven by generational differences in spending intentions [4][14][23] - The report notes that health-oriented products are gaining traction, with companies innovating in healthy snacks and beverages to meet rising consumer expectations for health benefits [28][36] - The emergence of new sales channels, such as bulk snack stores and membership-based supermarkets, is reshaping the retail landscape, allowing companies to better meet consumer demands for quality and convenience [57][63] Group 3 - The report discusses the rapid growth of the bulk snack store sector, which has become the leading channel for snack sales in China, reflecting a shift in consumer shopping habits [57][59] - Membership-based supermarkets are also highlighted as a growing trend, providing high-quality products at competitive prices, which appeals to consumers seeking value [63][66] - Traditional supermarkets are undergoing significant transformations to adapt to the competitive landscape, with successful case studies demonstrating substantial sales increases following strategic adjustments [69][70]