Core Insights - The article discusses the shift of several lending platforms towards "installment malls" as a new business model following regulatory crackdowns on previous high-interest lending practices. However, significant price markups on products have been observed, leading to higher costs for consumers compared to market prices [2][3][4]. Group 1: Business Model and Pricing - Multiple lending platforms, including Xiaoxiang Youpin and Yangxiaomiao, are entering the installment mall business, with high-demand products like iPhones and premium liquor often priced above market rates [3][4]. - For instance, an iPhone 17 Pro priced at 17,000 yuan in a non-installment sale costs 18,000 yuan when purchased in installments, while the same product is available for 14,000 yuan on mainstream e-commerce platforms, indicating a markup of over 4,000 yuan [3]. - The pricing discrepancies are widespread, with some products showing price differences of 200 to 400 yuan compared to major e-commerce sites [3][4]. Group 2: Consumer Experience and Feedback - Users have reported that after purchasing items through these platforms, they are often contacted by third-party recyclers offering to buy back the products at a significant discount, effectively creating a "sales-recovery" loop [4][6]. - For example, a consumer reported paying 5,257 yuan for gold on one platform but only receiving 4,140 yuan upon attempting to sell it back [4][6]. - The platforms often do not directly engage in recovery services, yet a hidden recovery chain has emerged, raising concerns about consumer privacy and the potential for disguised cash lending [6][8]. Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance Challenges - Industry analysts warn that if these installment malls are deemed to be lending under the guise of consumer sales, they could face regulatory shutdowns, and associated licensed institutions may also be held accountable [2][5]. - The legal landscape is evolving, with courts beginning to reject high-markup installment models, as seen in a case where a court ruled against a platform for charging excessive fees on a product priced above market value [16]. - Compliance is a critical consideration for these platforms, with many focusing on aligning product pricing with market levels to avoid regulatory scrutiny [5][16]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Profitability - The operational entities behind these installment malls are often linked to lending businesses, with some platforms showing significant revenue growth after transitioning to this model. For instance, a company reported revenue growth from 475 million yuan in 2022 to 530 million yuan in 2023, with projections of nearly 1 billion yuan by 2024 [9][13]. - The gross margins for some platforms remain high, with one platform reporting gross margins of 88.1% to 97.5% from 2022 to 2025 [11][13]. - The profitability is driven by both the markup on self-operated products and commissions from third-party sellers, with average commission rates ranging from 1% to 5% [13][14].

Core Insights - The article discusses the shift of several lending platforms towards "installment malls" as a new business direction following regulatory crackdowns on previous high-interest lending practices. However, significant price markups on products have been observed, leading to consumer costs that exceed market levels [1][2][5]. Group 1: Business Model and Pricing - Many installment malls, such as Xiaoxiang Youpin and Yangxiaomiao, have been found to sell high-demand products like iPhones and premium liquor at prices significantly above market rates, with some instances showing price differences exceeding 4,000 yuan [2][3]. - For example, an iPhone 17 Pro sold for 17,000 yuan without installment options costs 18,000 yuan with installments, while the same product on a mainstream e-commerce platform costs only 14,000 yuan [2]. - The pricing strategy often includes hidden fees through membership services, which can lead to ongoing charges without consumer awareness [3][4]. Group 2: Compliance and Regulatory Concerns - The industry is under scrutiny as the business model may be interpreted as disguised lending, which could lead to regulatory actions against platforms if deemed non-compliant [1][5]. - Platforms are attempting to balance compliance with market pricing to avoid user complaints and regulatory attention, emphasizing the importance of transparent pricing and diverse product offerings [4][8]. - The emergence of a hidden recovery chain, where third-party recovery agents contact consumers post-purchase, raises concerns about consumer privacy and potential facilitation of cash-out transactions [5][7]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Growth - The financial data from companies like Quantitative Group indicates significant revenue growth after transitioning to consumer e-commerce, with revenues projected to rise from 475 million yuan in 2022 to nearly 1 billion yuan by 2024 [9][10]. - The gross margin for platforms like Yangxiaomiao has remained high, with figures reported at 88.1% in 2022 and expected to reach 97.5% by 2024 [11][12]. - The profitability of these platforms is attributed to the sales margin on self-operated products and commissions from third-party sellers, with average commission rates ranging from 1% to 5% [13].

Core Viewpoint - The rise of installment shopping malls is seen as a new direction for many lending platforms after regulatory crackdowns on previous high-interest lending models. However, significant price premiums on products have been reported, leading to consumer costs that far exceed market levels [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Multiple lending platforms, including Xiaoxiang Youpin, Yangxiaomiao, and Taoduoduo, are entering the installment shopping mall business, which has gained public attention due to concentrated complaints [2]. - High liquidity products like iPhones and premium liquor are commonly sold at these malls, often at prices significantly above market rates. For instance, an iPhone 17 Pro is priced at 18,000 yuan in installments, while the same product costs only 14,000 yuan on mainstream e-commerce platforms, showing a price difference of over 4,000 yuan [2]. - The industry is shifting towards installment malls as a response to stricter regulations and pressure on traditional lending models, with many platforms actively researching and implementing this business model [3][4]. Group 2: Pricing and Profitability - There is a widespread phenomenon of price premiums in installment malls, with some platforms charging significantly more than competitors. For example, a well-known liquor brand is priced at 1,752 yuan in installments on one platform, compared to 1,364 yuan on a leading e-commerce site [2]. - Platforms are also using membership services to indirectly increase profits, such as Xiaoxiang Youpin's "Plus Platinum Membership," which charges a monthly fee for reduced service fees during installments [3]. - The average gross margin for platforms like Yangxiaomiao has remained high, with reported margins of 88.1% in 2022 and projected to reach 96.7% in the first five months of 2025 [10]. Group 3: Compliance and Regulatory Challenges - The industry faces significant compliance challenges, as high pricing models may be interpreted as disguised lending practices. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, and platforms must ensure that product pricing aligns closely with market levels to avoid complaints and regulatory action [1][4][15]. - The emergence of a hidden recovery chain, where third-party recovery agents contact consumers post-purchase, raises concerns about consumer privacy and the potential for facilitating cash-out transactions [6][7]. - Legal precedents are beginning to challenge high-price installment models, with courts ruling against platforms that impose excessive fees on overpriced products, indicating a need for compliance-focused business designs [15].