Core Viewpoint - Domestic outdoor brands are shifting from being affordable alternatives to high-end positioning, driven by capital market interest and rising consumer expectations [4][6][20]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - In the first half of this year, domestic outdoor brand "Berghaus" submitted its IPO application, with Tencent investing 300 million yuan, becoming the fourth largest shareholder [5]. - The outdoor equipment market in China has grown from 67.5 billion yuan in 2019 to 87.2 billion yuan in 2023, indicating a significant expansion [20]. - A notable trend is the increasing consumer willingness to spend on outdoor activities, with 43.6% of young people viewing outdoor sports as social currency [20]. Group 2: Pricing Trends - Berghaus has seen a 38.59% increase in average product prices, reaching around 500 yuan, and is now launching mid-to-high-end products priced in the thousands [7][10]. - Consumers have reported significant price increases for outdoor gear, with some items rising nearly five times in price over three years [12][14]. - The brand's reliance on its classic series remains high, with 82.7% of revenue still coming from lower-priced items, despite efforts to introduce higher-end products [26]. Group 3: Brand Positioning and Strategy - The shift in branding has led to a focus on professional, high-performance gear, distancing from the original target market of average consumers [8][23]. - Brands are increasingly abandoning their "affordable alternative" identity in pursuit of higher margins, as evidenced by the rising gross margins of leading companies [21][22]. - Berghaus's gross margin has shown a steady increase from 54.3% in 2022 to 59.6% in 2024, reflecting this trend [22]. Group 4: Challenges and Investment - Despite impressive revenue growth from 379 million yuan to 1.766 billion yuan, Berghaus faces challenges due to over-reliance on a single product line [25]. - The brand's R&D expenditure has been declining, indicating a potential weakness in innovation compared to competitors [26]. - Marketing expenses have surged, with promotional costs rising from 68.71 million yuan in 2022 to 359 million yuan in 2024, which may impact profitability [27].