Core Viewpoint - Baima Tea is preparing for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking a significant step after multiple unsuccessful attempts to list in A-shares. The company aims to capitalize on the growing trend of new tea beverages among younger consumers [1][15][17]. Company Background - Baima Tea originates from a century-old tea family in Anxi, Fujian, and has expanded to over 3,500 stores, primarily through a franchise model [1][9]. - The company was founded by three brothers, who initially struggled to attract customers until they introduced individually packaged tea bags for convenience [3][5]. Business Model and Revenue - Baima Tea's product offerings include a wide range of tea types, tea utensils, and tea-related snacks, with a significant portion of revenue generated from offline stores, accounting for over 60% of sales [9][10]. - As of September 30, 2024, Baima Tea had opened 3,498 stores, with over 90% being franchise locations [9][10]. Financial Performance - The company reported revenues of RMB 1.818 billion, RMB 2.122 billion, and RMB 1.647 billion for the years 2022, 2023, and the first nine months of 2024, respectively. Net profits for the same periods were RMB 166 million, RMB 206 million, and RMB 208 million, indicating a net profit margin increase from 9.1% to 12.6% [11][12]. - Marketing expenses have raised concerns, as they accounted for approximately 33.9% of revenue in 2022, with total advertising costs exceeding RMB 600 million [12]. Market Context - The tea industry in China is characterized by a predominance of small enterprises, with a lack of standardized quality and branding, which poses challenges for larger companies like Baima Tea [18]. - The recent surge in IPOs for new tea beverage companies highlights a shift in consumer preferences, prompting traditional tea companies to seek listings in Hong Kong as an alternative to A-shares [19][20].