Core Viewpoint - The retail industry is increasingly shifting towards hard discount models, with companies like Zhongbai Group and Wumart actively participating in this trend to meet consumer demands for lower prices and essential goods [1][2][6]. Company Developments - Zhongbai Group has opened its first discount store, Zhongbai Warehouse Wuhan Lidu International Xiaobaihui, focusing on community and family needs with a hard discount and livelihood product model [2][4]. - The store covers over 600 square meters and offers more than 2,000 SKUs, with prices 20% to 30% lower than market rates for essential items [2][3]. - Zhongbai plans to replicate this model, aiming to open five similar stores within the year, emphasizing a strategy of centralized procurement and regional adaptation [3][4]. Industry Trends - The hard discount model is gaining traction among various retailers, including Wumart and Jiajiayue, as they adapt to changing consumer preferences and competitive pressures [6][10]. - The model emphasizes simplified supply chains, low-cost operations, and a focus on high-frequency essential items, with stores typically having fewer than 1,000 SKUs and operating in smaller spaces [6][7]. - The shift towards hard discounting is driven by the need for efficiency in operations and supply chains, as traditional supermarkets face challenges in management complexity and cost control [8][9]. Competitive Landscape - Companies are differentiating themselves through unique strategies, such as Zhongbai's focus on hard discount and essential goods, which helps enhance inventory turnover and capital efficiency [3][6]. - The hard discount sector is expected to grow significantly, with potential market space reaching nearly 700 billion yuan if penetration rates align with global averages [10]. - The competitive environment is characterized by both established players leveraging existing supply chains and new entrants with tailored supply models, each bringing distinct advantages to the hard discount market [10].

超市"胖改"进行同期，物美再次押注折扣店，官宣全新品牌"物美超值"。 近日，物美超市在社交平台账号宣布门店改造新路线——折扣店。据服务号介绍，6月3日至7月24日期间，包括中信 城店、西山枫林店、丽泽桥店、朗清源店、和平新城店、丰台新业广场店在内的北京6家物美超市门店，计划闭店改 造为全新折扣店品牌店"物美超值"，且以上"物美超值"折扣店，将在7月25日重装开业。 折扣店业态，对于物美而言并不陌生。据公开报道，早在2022年，物美便于北京门头沟区一商场内低调试水"美淘折 扣店"，sku涵盖日杂百货、粮油米面及少数冻品，彼时，物美将该类折扣店定位为主要销售大卖场换季商品等，而并 非单纯的临期商品折扣店。 超市打法向折扣业态迁移，实则为多方共同推进结果。据尼尔森IQ分析，渠道是商业经营中的核心要素之一。线上渠 道带来了便利和效率的同时，线下渠道在全渠道中占比高达68%，仍具有不可替代的重要性。随着供给端和需求端的 不断演变，零售线下渠道被不断重塑，并将在2025年进一步迭代。而中国快消品渠道三大演变方向，即为小型化、生 鲜化，以及折扣化。 "锚定性价比，25％中国消费者为了省钱而更频繁光顾折扣店/超值店/低价商店 ...

Core Insights - Wumart announced the transformation of six stores in Beijing into discount stores under the new brand "Wumart Super Value" [1][4] - The transformation aims to provide high-quality products at lower prices, focusing on community family needs and eliminating premium pricing [4][8] - The stores will undergo renovations from June 3 to July 24, with reopening scheduled for July 25 [1] Group 1 - The six stores involved in the transformation are located in Zhongxin City, Xishan Fenglin, Lize Bridge, Langqing Garden, Heping New City, and Fengtai New Yi Square [1] - The new discount brand "Wumart Super Value" will emphasize "good products at low prices" [4] - The renovation will focus on three main areas: ensuring product quality through a selected supply chain and multiple quality checks, maintaining low prices through direct sourcing and dynamic pricing, and enhancing the shopping experience through store layout optimization and atmosphere improvement [4][8] Group 2 - The store concept will feature blue and yellow as the main colors [5] - This initiative follows Wumart's previous transformation of the Xueqing Road store, which was the first store to adopt the "learning from Pang Donglai" model, with plans to upgrade over 30 key stores nationwide by 2025 [8] - The company is committed to its strategic transformation, with further developments expected in July regarding the new discount format [8]