Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the retail industry in China [1]. Core Insights - Offline retail performance in South China was under pressure during Q3 2025 and the first three days of Golden Week, with significant year-on-year declines in sales for many brands [10][11]. - International cosmetics brands experienced weak sales, while domestic brand MAOGEPING showed strong performance during the same period [12]. - Sports brands Li-Ning and Anta outperformed NIKE and ADIDAS, achieving double-digit growth, while the latter two saw declines [13]. - Outdoor brands maintained resilient sales, with higher discount levels compared to sports brands, although overall discount levels remained stable year-on-year [14]. Summary by Sections Offline Retail Performance - In Q3 2025, offline retail sales in Guangzhou showed a double-digit decline both month-on-month and year-on-year, with a slight recovery in sales during the first three days of Golden Week [10]. - The average retail transaction value declined year-on-year, particularly for high-value products and cosmetics, while mid-to-low priced products remained stable [10]. Dining Performance - Dining performance during Golden Week showed divergence, with traditional Cantonese cuisine performing strongly, while Western and Japanese cuisines faced declines [11]. Cosmetics Sales - 70% of international cosmetics brands reported year-on-year sales declines, with DIOR experiencing a double-digit drop, while domestic brand MAOGEPING performed exceptionally well due to strong promotions [12]. Sports Brand Performance - In Q3 2025, NIKE and ADIDAS saw modest growth, while Li-Ning and Anta achieved double-digit growth, attributed to their participation in promotional activities during Golden Week [13]. Outdoor Brand Performance - Sales growth for outdoor brands was led by The North Face and Jack Wolfskin, both achieving double-digit growth, while other brands like Columbia saw mid-to-high single-digit growth [14].

Core Viewpoint - Anta Sports has demonstrated impressive growth in the first half of 2025, achieving revenue of 38.54 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%, maintaining its position as the leading brand in the Chinese market for four consecutive years [1] Group 1: Revenue Performance - Anta's revenue closely approaches the combined revenue of Adidas and Nike in the Greater China region, indicating strong competitive performance in a challenging market [4] - The main brand of Anta generated revenue of 16.96 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 5.4%, with product prices significantly lower than international brands [5] Group 2: Consumer Trends - Consumers are increasingly focused on value for money, seeking products that offer practicality and affordability, as evidenced by Anta's pricing strategy [5] - Aesthetic appeal has become a necessity for consumers, with brands like FILA, which is under Anta, reporting revenue of 14.182 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.6%, due to its stylish designs [5] - The shift in consumer perception towards domestic brands has evolved from sentimentality to trust, with many young consumers recognizing the quality and functionality of brands like Anta and Li Ning [7] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The rapid growth of Anta reflects broader consumer trends in the market, characterized by price sensitivity, aesthetic considerations, and a growing acceptance of domestic brands [13] - The purchasing behavior on e-commerce platforms shows a preference for domestic brands, with Anta achieving over 11% growth during the July summer sales period [7]