Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid expansion and challenges faced by the tea brand "爷爷不泡茶" (Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea), highlighting its ambition to grow significantly in a competitive market while addressing the need for sustainable business logic in the new tea beverage industry [4][25]. Expansion Strategy - "爷爷不泡茶" aims to increase its store count from under 3,000 to a minimum of 4,500 by 2025, with a target of reaching 5,000 stores [4][12]. - The brand's expansion strategy includes targeting lower-tier markets and introducing various store formats to increase flexibility in location selection [11][12]. - The brand's current store count is reported to be over 2,500, although some data sources suggest it may be below 2,100 [11][12]. Product Development - The brand focuses on creating unique products, such as "荔枝冰酿" (Lychee Ice Brew), which has sold over 38 million cups, positioning it as a leading product in its category [14][16]. - "爷爷不泡茶" emphasizes the use of local ingredients and cultural heritage in its products, aiming to differentiate itself in a crowded market [19][22]. Market Position and Competition - The new tea beverage market is highly competitive, with established brands like "蜜雪冰城" (Mixue Bingcheng) and "喜茶" (Heytea) dominating the landscape [9][12]. - The brand's pricing strategy places it in direct competition with other mid-tier brands, making it challenging to attract franchisees due to uncertain return on investment [12][22]. Financial Performance and Growth Challenges - The brand's growth is hindered by a lack of standout products and reliance on promotional activities, which can erode profit margins for franchisees [23][25]. - Despite achieving recognition among younger consumers, the brand faces scrutiny over product quality and consistency, which could impact its long-term viability [25][26]. Industry Trends - The new tea beverage industry is experiencing a shift, with market share among the top five brands increasing from 38.5% in 2020 to 46.8% in 2023, indicating a trend towards consolidation [12][24]. - The article notes that many brands are adopting similar "national trend" themes, making it difficult for any single brand to stand out [17][19].

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid growth and market recognition of the new tea brand "爷爷不泡茶" (Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea), which has become a significant player in the new tea beverage sector since its inception in 2018 [2][4][10] - The brand's innovative product offerings and aggressive expansion strategy have positioned it as a leader in the industry, with a goal to increase its store count significantly by 2025 [2][9][10] Company Overview - "爷爷不泡茶" has achieved remarkable growth, with plans to expand its store count from 300 in 2023 to 2000 in 2024, and aiming for 5000 by 2025, marking an increase of over 400% in store numbers [10][8] - The brand's unique selling proposition includes its signature product "米酿" (Rice Brew), which has gained popularity, with the "荔枝冰酿" (Lychee Ice Brew) becoming the top-selling item in its category, selling over 38 million cups since its launch [4][6] Market Dynamics - The new tea beverage industry has seen various brands exploring different business models, including direct sales, franchising, and supply chain optimization, with "爷爷不泡茶" adopting a multi-chain franchise model to drive growth [3][9] - The competitive landscape is characterized by rapid expansion and the need for brands to differentiate themselves through unique products and effective marketing strategies [4][11] Challenges and Considerations - Despite the rapid growth, the industry faces challenges such as market saturation and the need for sustainable growth strategies, particularly for mid-tier brands that may struggle during market downturns [14][16] - The brand's ability to attract franchisees and maintain quality control during its aggressive expansion will be critical for its long-term success [15][14]

Core Insights - The popularity of rice wine has surged recently, with various brands launching innovative products that quickly become bestsellers, indicating a strong market trend [2][9] - The article identifies four key opportunities for rice wine products in the current market [9][21] Brand Developments - Popular brands like BaWang Tea Ji and Ye Ye Bu Pao Cha have introduced new rice wine products, achieving significant sales milestones, such as Ye Ye Bu Pao Cha's 38 million cups sold [3][8] - Specialty stores focusing on rice wine, such as "Yi Gu San Niang" and "Wang Wai Wai," are also experiencing rapid growth, with some opening over 280 chain stores [2][8] Market Trends - The rise of health-conscious consumption has led to a growing interest in rice wine, which is perceived as a low-calorie and nourishing beverage, appealing particularly to younger consumers [10][21] - The unique texture of rice wine, providing a "chewing sensation," differentiates it from traditional beverages and enhances consumer experience [12][14] Product Innovation - Rice wine can be used in both hot and cold beverages, showcasing its versatility and aesthetic appeal, which is crucial for attracting consumers [16][17] - The introduction of products like the purple crystal brown rice wine not only adds visual appeal but also aligns with consumer expectations for natural ingredients [17][19] Cultural Significance - Rice wine serves as a medium to tell "Chinese stories," with various regional recipes contributing to its cultural richness, making it a compelling product in the beverage market [19][21] - Companies like Mi Po Po leverage traditional brewing techniques combined with modern technology to create innovative products that resonate with contemporary consumers [21]

Core Insights - The "Lychee Ice Brew" from "Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea" has become a summer sensation, achieving over 80 million topic views on Weibo in a single day, indicating a significant shift in the tea beverage market [1] - The product's success is attributed to the integration of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and emotional value, reshaping the competitive landscape of the tea industry [1] Group 1: Product and Sales Performance - The "Lychee Ice Brew" incorporates the ICH of Hubei Xiaogan rice brewing techniques, with cumulative sales reaching 38 million cups since its launch in 2018, and it is projected to become the top-selling rice brew milk tea in 2024, surpassing the combined sales of its competitors [2] - The use of unique ingredients, such as "Three Grain Inch" glutinous rice and special honeycomb yeast, provides a distinctive flavor that is difficult for industrial products to replicate [9] Group 2: Emotional Value and Market Trends - Emotional value has emerged as a key factor in the popularity of tea beverages, with products like the "Drunken Limited Edition" targeting young consumers' relaxation needs after work, leading to a significant increase in orders for alcoholic tea drinks after 8 PM [10] - The industry is evolving from focusing solely on taste to enhancing consumer experiences and emotional connections, as seen in various brands' strategies to cater to nighttime consumption [11] Group 3: Marketing and Consumer Engagement - "Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea" has launched the "YE" series marketing activities to strengthen emotional connections, including tasting parties and pop-up stores, resulting in a 175% increase in orders during events [12] - The trend of "tea + lifestyle" collaborations is gaining traction, with other brands also engaging in cross-industry marketing to enhance customer engagement and boost sales [14] Group 4: Industry Competition and Future Directions - The competition in the tea industry is intensifying, with brands focusing on systematic operational capabilities, such as "Heytea" testing ICH tea workshops and "Naixue" planning eco-friendly packaging for ICH series [16] - The concept of deep consumer interaction, such as involving customers in the rice brewing process, is seen as a potential growth area as product homogenization increases [16]

Core Insights - Beijing is viewed as a strategic platform for new consumer brands to expand from regional to national markets, but many brands struggle to maintain consumer interest after initial popularity [1][5] - The new tea beverage brand "爷爷不泡茶" (Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea) has successfully transitioned from a popular brand to a sustainable one in Beijing, achieving significant growth and consumer loyalty [2][3][17] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The new tea beverage industry is characterized by rapid innovation and frequent brand turnover, leading to "flow anxiety" among companies as they compete for consumer attention [3][4] - In the past year, approximately 160,000 milk tea shops have closed, indicating a significant contraction in the market, with a net decrease of about 18,000 stores [4] Group 2: Brand Strategy - "爷爷不泡茶" opened its first store in Beijing's Sanlitun in October 2024, initially experiencing high demand with queues of up to 200 cups [2][5] - The brand has expanded rapidly, adding over 1,000 new stores nationwide in 2024, becoming the top brand in terms of store count and sales growth in the new tea beverage sector [3] Group 3: Product Innovation - The brand's unique offerings, such as the "荔枝冰酿" (Lychee Rice Wine), have resonated with consumers, achieving sales of 38 million cups and becoming a top product in its category [8][9] - The "荔枝冰酿" product combines cultural elements and emotional resonance, appealing to consumers' desire for both taste and cultural connection [9][15] Group 4: Cultural Integration - "爷爷不泡茶" emphasizes cultural integration in its products, using traditional ingredients and techniques to create a sense of cultural identity and emotional value for consumers [15][19] - The brand's marketing strategy includes collaborations with celebrities, such as actress Shu Qi, to enhance emotional connections with consumers and elevate brand perception [9][14] Group 5: Consumer Trends - The Beijing market is undergoing a transformation towards service-oriented, intelligent, and emotional consumption, with younger consumers driving demand for products that offer emotional value [19][21] - "爷爷不泡茶" has positioned itself as a brand that understands and caters to the preferences of younger consumers, establishing a strong market presence in Beijing [19][21]

Core Insights - The concept of "instant retail" is becoming a new industry consensus, reshaping consumer habits from waiting for deliveries to expecting one-hour delivery services [4][6] - Instant retail is projected to grow at an annual rate of 47.1% by 2026, significantly outpacing traditional e-commerce growth [4] - The integration of membership systems into promotional events, such as Meituan's "718 Coupon Festival," enhances user experience and allows for personalized marketing strategies [6][9] Group 1: Instant Retail Trends - Instant retail is redefining supply-demand relationships and is crucial for brands to deepen user value and create differentiated experiences [6][9] - The "718 Coupon Festival" emphasized transparency in user benefits and integrated membership tiers for personalized rewards [6][9] - The event expanded its product categories to include flash sales and quality lifestyle items, aligning with seasonal consumer needs [7][9] Group 2: Brand Strategies - Brands are leveraging events like the "718 Coupon Festival" to enhance consumer engagement and brand recognition through emotional connections [13][14] - The festival allows brands to convey their values and engage with consumers in meaningful ways, transforming promotions into brand storytelling opportunities [19][20] - Brands are increasingly focusing on creating experiences rather than just selling products, reflecting a shift in consumer expectations towards emotional fulfillment [20][31] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Non-essential consumer goods are becoming a regular part of daily decision-making, driven by the convenience of instant retail [21][22] - Younger consumers are actively seeking health and wellness products, indicating a shift towards proactive health management [21][22] - The demand for quality service and experience is rising, with consumers prioritizing value over mere price [28][29] Group 4: Market Dynamics - The "718 Coupon Festival" serves as a platform for brands to capture high-value users and establish differentiated brand positioning [31][47] - The festival highlights the evolving relationship between brands, platforms, and consumers, emphasizing the importance of building sustainable value [47] - As instant retail matures, the focus is shifting from mere transaction efficiency to fostering long-term consumer relationships [37][47]

Core Insights - The "light entrepreneurship" model, exemplified by opening milk tea shops, is increasingly popular among young people, particularly those born in the 1990s and 2000s, due to their deep understanding of consumer preferences in this sector [1][3] - Young entrepreneurs often lack mature business experience, leading many to choose to franchise established milk tea brands, which can provide a more structured path to success [1][3] Industry Trends - The best franchise opportunities are not necessarily with the current market leaders but with brands that have significant future growth potential, allowing young franchisees to grow alongside the brand [3][4] - "爷爷不泡茶" (Grandpa Doesn't Brew Tea), a brand from Wuhan, is projected to be the fastest-growing milk tea brand in 2024, with plans to open over 1,000 new stores, representing an 8-fold increase in scale [3][4] Brand Development - Successful milk tea brands typically undergo three major tests: opening franchises, surpassing 1,000 stores, and achieving an annual franchise increase of over 1,000 stores, indicating a strong growth trajectory [4] - "爷爷不泡茶" has already surpassed 2,500 stores by mid-2025, with a significant increase in new store openings, confirming its rapid expansion [4] Marketing and Consumer Engagement - Brands with a "viral" effect can attract attention, but the key to sustained growth lies in the differentiation of their flagship products [6][9] - "爷爷不泡茶" combines traditional tea culture with innovative products, such as the "Lychee Ice Brew," which has become a top seller, demonstrating the importance of product uniqueness in maintaining market interest [6][9] Target Audience Understanding - Effective marketing strategies that resonate with young consumers are crucial for success in the competitive tea market [8][9] - "爷爷不泡茶" has successfully engaged with young consumers through targeted marketing campaigns, such as a recent initiative that provided free drinks to graduates, which resonated well with the target demographic [8][9]

Core Insights - The lychee season is nearing its end, with prices continuing to decline while consumption scenarios are expanding, particularly with the rise of lychee-based beverages this summer [1][9][11] Market Overview - The current market price for lychees ranges from 15 to 35 yuan per kilogram, primarily sourced from Guangxi [7] - This year has seen a bumper harvest, leading to an extended sales period of nearly 40 days compared to the usual 20 days [7][9] - Local lychee varieties in Yunnan are mostly sold out, with only a few remaining, while late-maturing varieties still have stock available for about another week [5][9] Price Trends - The price of lychees has shown a "high open, low walk" trend, starting high but dropping significantly as supply increased, maintaining a relatively low price point [9][11] - Consumers have benefited from lower prices, with some varieties like "glutinous rice" being sold for 10 to 20 yuan per kilogram, compared to previous years where prices were significantly higher [5][9] Consumer Behavior - The popularity of lychee beverages has surged, driven by the recent drama "The Lychee of Chang'an," leading to new product launches from various beverage brands [9][11] - Sales of lychee-based drinks have been strong, with some stores reporting monthly sales exceeding 1,000 cups for new lychee products [9][11] Industry Outlook - The trend of lychee beverages not only extends the lychee supply chain but also creates additional value for farmers and merchants [11] - The combination of consumer demand for innovative seasonal fruit products and lower raw material costs is expected to drive further growth in the lychee market next year [11]

Core Insights - JD Seven Fresh has launched a variety of lychee-related products during the peak season of lychee ripeness, enhancing consumer experience with unique culinary offerings [1][3][7] Group 1: Product Innovation - The company has developed innovative products such as lychee ice brew, which preserves the fresh taste and aroma of lychee while providing a refreshing experience [3][5] - Lychee sparkling wine creatively incorporates whole lychees, offering a unique flavor profile that enhances summer gatherings [5] - The lychee rose box cake combines the sweetness of lychee with the fragrance of rose petals, providing a rich and layered taste experience [5][7] Group 2: Supply Chain and Freshness - JD Seven Fresh employs a direct sourcing model from Guangdong, ensuring same-day harvesting and shipping of lychees, maintaining temperature-controlled transport [1][7] - The introduction of frozen "Meizi Xiao" lychees utilizes freezing technology to lock in flavor and nutrition, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh lychees even outside the peak season [7] Group 3: Consumer Engagement - The company has created a direct sales area in its stores, attracting customers with fresh lychees at competitive prices, enhancing the shopping experience [3] - The efficient 1+N model (1 central store + N satellite stores) allows for rapid delivery, with products reaching consumers in as little as 30 minutes [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rising popularity of lychee, particularly in the context of the recent drama "Chang'an's Lychee," which has significantly increased consumer interest and demand for this fruit in various forms, including beverages and desserts [3][5][6]. Group 1: Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - The search volume for "lychee" on Meituan increased by 179% year-on-year as the weather warmed up in June [5]. - In Guangdong's Maoming, lychee production exceeded 500,000 tons last year, generating an annual output value of over 12 billion yuan [6]. - The influx of tourists during the lychee season in Maoming has increased by over 150% compared to the same period last year [6]. Group 2: Historical Significance and Cultural Context - Lychee has historically been regarded as a luxury item, often associated with imperial courts, as depicted in ancient poetry and literature [10][11][20]. - The tribute history of Guangdong lychee can be seen as a unique cultural narrative of high-end marketing [14]. - The transportation of lychee from southern regions to the capital in ancient times was a significant challenge, often requiring innovative methods to preserve freshness [20][42]. Group 3: Modern Transportation and Logistics - Modern logistics companies, such as SF Express and JD Logistics, have developed specialized cold chain solutions to ensure the freshness of lychee during transportation [46][47]. - The costs associated with cold chain logistics can sometimes exceed the price of the fruit itself, yet consumers are willing to pay for the quality and freshness [48][49]. - The article emphasizes the importance of ensuring that lychee farmers benefit from the increased demand and prices, advocating for a more equitable agricultural supply chain [51][52].