Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement of the national childcare subsidy policy has led to rumors of price increases for baby products, causing anxiety among families. However, investigations reveal that the overall prices in the maternal and infant market remain stable, with some leading brand prices actually decreasing due to promotional adjustments [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Announcement and Public Reaction - On July 28, the National Health Commission released the "Implementation Plan for the Childcare Subsidy System," which will provide an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan to families with one to three children starting in 2025, benefiting over 20 million families [2]. - Following the announcement, social media platforms saw posts claiming price increases for milk powder brands like Beiyinmei and Feihe, with some products reportedly rising by 5% to 10%, leading to concerns that businesses were preemptively capitalizing on the subsidy [2]. Group 2: Price Verification and Market Analysis - An investigation into online sales showed that the price of Ausnutria's A2 Platinum Stage 3 infant formula decreased from 186.07 yuan to 179.07 yuan between late July and early August, indicating no significant price increase [3][6]. - Further checks on platforms like JD and Tmall revealed no widespread price hikes among brands such as Feihe, Beiyinmei, and Meizhuang, with many products experiencing price drops due to promotional activities [6][9]. Group 3: Offline Store Observations - Physical store visits confirmed that prices for milk powder and diapers remained stable, with no notifications of price increases received by sales staff. Stores were also running promotional offers [9][10]. - Sales personnel from various stores indicated that the prices were stable and that the rumors of price increases were unfounded, emphasizing that the subsidy should not directly correlate with price hikes [9][10]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Consumer Perception - The maternal and infant industry has a complex pricing structure, leading to consumer misunderstandings regarding price changes. The ongoing price war has resulted in a "repair phase" where some brands are adjusting prices through formula upgrades or reduced discounts, but this does not indicate a market-wide price increase [10]. - Overall, the introduction of the childcare subsidy has not led to a general increase in prices for milk powder and diapers, contrary to the circulating rumors [10].