Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the strategic expansion of Haidilao into the bakery sector through its new brand "拾㧚耍· SCHWASUA," highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the retail landscape, particularly in the context of the company's "Red Pomegranate Plan" aimed at overcoming growth bottlenecks in its core hotpot business [4][7][18]. Group 1: Market Context and Brand Launch - During the May Day holiday, Haidilao launched its bakery brand "拾㧚耍· SCHWASUA" in a prime location in Hangzhou, offering high-quality products at competitive prices, which quickly attracted consumer attention [4][6]. - The bakery's pricing strategy features over 60% of products priced below 10 yuan, with the most expensive item not exceeding 30 yuan, significantly lower than similar brands [6][8]. Group 2: Strategic Rationale for Expansion - The Chinese baking market is projected to grow from 561.4 billion yuan in 2023 to over 850 billion yuan by 2029, with an annual growth rate exceeding 9%, making it an attractive sector for Haidilao's diversification [7]. - The "Red Pomegranate Plan" is seen as a strategic extension to address the declining table turnover rate and falling customer spending in Haidilao's core business, allowing the company to reach a broader customer base through multiple brands [7][11]. Group 3: Competitive Advantages - Haidilao's strong supply chain integration allows for cost optimization across the entire production process, ensuring high-quality products at lower prices compared to traditional bakeries [8][12]. - The company leverages its existing customer base and membership system to drive traffic to its new bakery brand, enhancing customer retention and engagement [7][11]. Group 4: Performance and Challenges - Since the launch of the "Red Pomegranate Plan," Haidilao has opened 74 stores across various food categories, generating a total revenue of 4.83 billion yuan, indicating a mix of successes and challenges in brand performance [11][12]. - Despite some brands achieving market recognition, the rapid expansion poses risks of resource dilution and management challenges, particularly as some sub-brands struggle to achieve profitability [14][18]. Group 5: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The multi-brand strategy is becoming a key approach for leading companies in the restaurant industry to overcome growth challenges, with Haidilao's efforts reflecting broader trends in the sector [16][18]. - The future competition among restaurant giants will focus not only on the number of outlets but also on supply chain resilience, organizational vitality, and strategic consistency [18].

Core Insights - The article highlights the rise of "first-store economy" in Hangzhou's Shangcheng District, emphasizing its role in enhancing urban competitiveness and driving consumption upgrades [3][7] - The district has successfully attracted 31 new first stores in the first quarter of the year, contributing to a retail sales total of 28.79 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.4% [3][6] Group 1: First-Store Economy - The first-store economy is seen as a strategic point for brands to capture market share and shape brand image, while also serving as an engine for urban commercial vitality [7] - The opening of "SCHWASUA," a bakery brand under Haidilao, marked its first store in the country, attracting significant consumer interest and foot traffic [4][5] - The Shangcheng District aims to become a leading area for "smart and fashionable consumption," with a focus on enhancing the first-store economy [3][6] Group 2: Consumer Trends and Performance - The "SCHWASUA" bakery's unique design and consumer experience have successfully transformed product consumption into emotional consumption, appealing to younger demographics [5] - During the recent May Day holiday, the Wu Mountain business district achieved a consumption amount of 80 million yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13.26% [5] - The three major business circles in the district—Lakeside, Wu Mountain, and Qianjiang New City—are becoming competitive hotspots for new store openings due to their mature commercial ecosystems [6] Group 3: Policy and Support - The Shangcheng District has introduced supportive policies to attract well-known domestic and international brands, offering up to 1 million yuan in one-time subsidies for first stores [7] - The district is actively building an industrial ecosystem to support sustainable development of the first-store economy, focusing on four major brand clusters [7][8] - The district's goal is to achieve over 20 billion yuan in revenue from key sectors and to introduce more than 80 new first and flagship stores [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the launch of Haidilao's first bakery brand "拾㧚耍·SCHWASUA" in Hangzhou, emphasizing its affordable pricing strategy and potential to disrupt the bakery market, leveraging Haidilao's established brand and supply chain advantages [1][4][10]. Group 1: Product and Pricing Strategy - "拾㧚耍" offers a range of affordable bakery products, with prices such as 5.8 for rye cranberry bread and 6.8 for sea salt rolls, averaging under 4 for croissants, which is surprising for consumers [6][10]. - The bakery focuses on a simplified SKU strategy, emphasizing core products like baguettes and croissants, while also introducing healthier options and local flavors, with prices generally between 6-12 yuan [13][16]. - The pricing strategy positions "拾㧚耍" significantly lower than competitors, with overall prices around 70% of other trendy bakery brands, making it appealing to students, office workers, and families [13][16]. Group 2: Consumer Engagement and Experience - Despite minimal pre-launch marketing, the bakery attracted a large crowd due to the Haidilao brand, featuring a free tasting area that became a popular attraction [8][10]. - The service model reflects Haidilao's customer-centric approach, with staff assisting customers and allowing the use of vouchers won in-store, enhancing the overall experience [8][10]. Group 3: Supply Chain and Operational Efficiency - The bakery benefits from Haidilao's established supply chain, utilizing shared resources for ingredients and logistics, which helps maintain low prices while ensuring freshness [16][17]. - This operational synergy allows "拾㧚耍" to balance between freshly baked goods and affordability, positioning it as a strong competitor in the bakery market [17][35]. Group 4: Market Trends and Consumer Demand - There is a growing demand for both high-end and affordable bakery products, with a significant portion of consumers preferring options under 10 yuan, indicating a robust market for quality yet affordable baked goods [19][21]. - The article highlights the importance of maintaining product quality while competing on price, suggesting that the bakery must avoid the pitfalls of relying solely on price cuts [33][35]. Group 5: Competitive Landscape - "拾㧚耍" is compared to other emerging brands like "巨人妈妈面包," which also targets the affordable bakery segment, indicating a trend towards value-driven offerings in the market [24][28]. - The success of "拾㧚耍" will depend on its ability to replicate Haidilao's operational efficiencies and customer loyalty in the bakery sector, as well as its adaptability to market demands [37].