Core Viewpoint - The ongoing conflict between the siblings of the Wahaha founder, Zong Qinghou, and Zong Fuli over inheritance has roots dating back ten years, highlighting their shared experiences and challenges in the food safety sector [2] Group 1: Background and Context - Ten years ago, Zong Fuli and Zong Jichang united against common challenges, particularly rumors and food safety issues affecting Wahaha, leading Zong Qinghou to advocate for food safety reforms [2] - In 2015, Wahaha's revenue plummeted, with Zong Qinghou attributing a loss of 5 billion yuan to these rumors, which constituted about 10% of that year's revenue [2] Group 2: Education and Research - Zong Jichang studied food science at Cornell University, focusing on the impact of bioactive compounds on cancer cell proliferation, and authored a review on dietary supplement safety [3][4] - During his senior year, Zong Jichang collaborated with peers to develop a sports gel using maple syrup, enhancing its flavor and nutritional value, and named it "Untapped Potential" [4][6] Group 3: Industry Aspirations and Developments - Zong Fuli invested 70 million yuan in establishing the Fuli Food Research Institute at Zhejiang University to cultivate talent in food safety and nutrition [8] - Zong Fuli has launched her beverage brand "KELLYONE," targeting young consumers with personalized juice and zero-calorie tea products, while seeking skilled professionals in the food industry [9] Group 4: Family Dynamics and Legal Disputes - The inheritance dispute over an estimated 1.8 billion yuan trust fund has escalated, with Zong Jichang and his siblings filing lawsuits against Zong Fuli for their share of Wahaha's equity [14][20] - The siblings' educational paths have intertwined, with many graduates from Zong Fuli's funded programs attending prestigious institutions, including Cornell University, where Zong Jichang studied [9][20]

Core Insights - The company aims to achieve an annual sales revenue of 100 billion yuan, a goal set by its founder, but has faced challenges in recent years, with revenue dropping to around 70 billion yuan in 2024 [1][3] - The company is currently dealing with a significant inheritance dispute involving the founder's children, which has created a challenging environment for the new leadership [1][4] - Despite the turmoil, some distributors report that sales have remained stable, although overall performance has not met expectations [5][6] Sales Performance - Following the founder's death, there was a temporary surge in sales, with a reported 500% increase in online sales, but this momentum has not continued into the current year [3][4] - Recent data indicates a significant decline in daily sales on e-commerce platforms, dropping from 10,000-12,000 units to 5,000-7,500 units [5] - Year-on-year comparisons show that many distributors have not experienced significant growth, with some reporting a decline of at least 30% in sales [6][8] Distributor Challenges - Distributors are facing pressure to achieve a 50% increase in sales, a target many believe is unrealistic [10][12] - Some distributors are struggling with inventory issues, selling products at a loss due to price pressures [8][12] - The company has closed 18 production lines this year, impacting its ability to meet demand and maintain sales levels [12][14] Strategic Adjustments - The new leadership is implementing changes to improve distributor support and market responsiveness, including assigning dedicated personnel to assist distributors [10][14] - The company is focusing on enhancing its distribution channels and increasing the visibility of its products in retail spaces [15] - There is a noted lack of new product offerings, which may hinder the company's ability to attract consumer interest and drive sales growth [15]