Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid growth and challenges faced by Shengbeila, a high-end postpartum care center in China, highlighting its target market of wealthy families and the significant financial losses despite increasing revenues [5][49]. Group 1: Company Overview - Shengbeila has become the largest postpartum care and recovery group in China within less than nine years, with 72 centers across 25 cities [5][6]. - The company targets high-net-worth individuals, with package prices ranging from 16.88 million to 38.88 million RMB for various services [4][3]. - Shengbeila's revenue has shown growth from 258.76 million RMB in 2021 to 559.91 million RMB in 2023, but it has consistently reported losses, totaling 1.22 billion RMB, 4.12 billion RMB, 2.39 billion RMB, and 4.8 billion RMB from 2021 to the first half of 2024 [6][49]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Despite increasing revenues, Shengbeila reported significant losses, with cumulative losses reaching 1.25 billion RMB over the years [49][55]. - The company's rental and personnel costs are substantial, with rental costs alone accounting for about 20% of revenue [52]. - Adjusted profits, excluding the impact of financial instruments, showed a potential turnaround in 2023, with a profit of approximately 17.15 million RMB in the first half of 2024 [54][55]. Group 3: Market Position and Strategy - Shengbeila operates in a growing market, with the postpartum care and recovery service market expected to reach 205.9 billion RMB by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 19.2% [60]. - The company has diversified its offerings, including the acquisition of health food brands and the introduction of various postpartum recovery services [40][43]. - Shengbeila's branding as a high-end service provider is reinforced by its partnerships with luxury hotels and its focus on high-quality nursing care [15][19]. Group 4: Challenges and Future Outlook - The company faces challenges in maintaining profitability amid rising operational costs and a declining birth rate in China, which fell from 15.23 million in 2018 to 9.02 million in 2023 [58][60]. - Analysts suggest that while the demand for third-party maternal care is increasing, the sustainability of individual companies like Shengbeila will depend on their ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape [61][62].

Core Viewpoint - The high-end maternal and infant care brand Saint Bella is facing significant challenges in its upcoming IPO process due to increasing operational losses, insufficient risk management capabilities, and recurring compliance issues in its operations [1][8][16]. Group 1: Business Model and Financial Performance - Saint Bella has positioned itself as a high-end maternal care service provider, operating three differentiated brands targeting various market segments, but all focus on the high-end market, leading to potential homogenization risks [3][4]. - The pricing for its maternal care packages in mainland China starts at 168,800 RMB for the Saint Bella brand, 98,800 RMB for the Ai Yu brand, and 68,000 RMB for the Xiao Bella brand, indicating a premium pricing strategy [4]. - The revenue structure is heavily reliant on maternal care services, which accounted for 85.7% of total revenue in the first half of 2024, showing slow progress in diversifying its business [4][6]. - Financial data reveals that Saint Bella incurred a loss of 480 million RMB in the first half of 2024, a significant increase from a loss of 75 million RMB in the same period of 2023, indicating ongoing financial distress [8]. Group 2: Cost Structure and Profitability - The gross profit margin for the maternal care business was 34.1% in 2023, while the functional food segment achieved a much higher margin of 63.3%, highlighting a disparity in profitability across business segments [6][7]. - The operational model is characterized by high costs due to partnerships with luxury hotels and leasing standalone villas, leading to rising rental expenses that accounted for 37% of total sales costs from 2021 to 2023 [10]. - The sales costs increased by 33.08% in the first half of 2024, outpacing revenue growth, which raises concerns about the sustainability of the business model [10]. Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance Issues - Saint Bella has faced multiple administrative penalties for compliance issues, including operating without necessary licenses, which raises concerns about its operational management and regulatory adherence [16]. - The company acknowledges that a declining birth rate could hinder market growth, yet it has not adequately addressed the implications of its operational model facing stricter regulatory scrutiny [13][16]. - The industry is experiencing a downturn, with a significant increase in the number of maternal care centers in first-tier cities, while demand growth lags behind, creating a challenging market environment [13]. Group 4: Strategic Direction and Leadership - The founder of Saint Bella, Xiang Hua, is recognized for his academic and professional background, which adds a layer of credibility to the brand, but the company's past performance raises questions about the sustainability of its business model [18][20]. - The company's fundraising strategy includes expanding maternal care services while also venturing into elder care and new retail, reflecting internal anxieties about growth and market positioning [20]. - The challenge remains for Saint Bella to break the cycle of high service costs versus the limited high-net-worth customer base, which could impact the success of its IPO and long-term viability [20].