Core Point - The article highlights the launch of a convenient direct-to-consumer service in Huairou District, providing essential goods to local villagers, which has led to high demand and rapid sales of products like eggs and meat [1] Group 1: Service Overview - The direct-to-consumer service offers a variety of products including fruits, meat, vegetables, condiments, and daily necessities [1] - Villagers can register their needs on-site or through established shopping groups, ensuring that requested items are delivered the next day [1] Group 2: Community Response - The service has attracted significant interest, with items such as eggs and meat selling out within an hour of availability [1] - Villagers are actively engaging with the service, as evidenced by the registration of specific product requests, such as pickled vegetables [1]

Core Insights - The article highlights the life and activities of a retired worker, Lao Liu, who remains actively engaged in the food seasoning industry despite retirement, showcasing his dedication and passion for his work [1][4]. Group 1: Background and Career - Lao Liu began his career as a welder in a state-owned manufacturing factory in Tianjin, where he worked for eight years before moving to a food seasoning factory to care for his elderly parents [2]. - He demonstrated technical skills and a strong work ethic throughout his career, achieving high-quality results in welding and adapting quickly to new roles in the food seasoning industry [2][3]. Group 2: Post-Retirement Activities - After retirement, Lao Liu spends his time visiting supermarkets, particularly the seasoning section, where he helps organize products and educates staff, earning a reputation in the local community [4]. - He actively gathers information from restaurants about the use of seasonings, providing valuable insights to his former employer for product improvement [4]. Group 3: Personal Reflections - Lao Liu purchased a new home close to his first workplace and reflects on the changes in the industrial landscape, expressing a sense of balance between his two former employers [5]. - He takes pride in his contributions to the food seasoning factory, even composing a factory song that reflects his fond memories and dedication to the industry [5].

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights a significant increase in food prices in Japan, with the number of price hikes reaching 1,932 types in June, approximately three times that of the same period last year [1][3]. - In Saitama Prefecture, the price of popular instant rice has risen by over 10%, with around 116 types of rice-related products experiencing price increases this month [3][5]. - The most affected category in the price hikes is condiments, accounting for nearly half of the total number of price-increased food items [3]. Group 2 - Japan's core Consumer Price Index (CPI) has consistently shown a year-on-year increase of over 3% this year, surpassing the Bank of Japan's target of 2% [7]. - In April, the core CPI rose by 3.5%, marking the largest increase in over two years, with rice prices soaring by 98.4%, setting a record for seven consecutive months [7]. - A forecast suggests that the total number of food price increases in Japan for the year could exceed 20,000, surpassing last year's figures [7].

Core Viewpoint - Qinqin Food has returned to profitability in 2024 after three years of losses, driven by a slight revenue increase and improved cost management [2][5]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Qinqin Food achieved revenue of 996 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.5%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 21.13 million yuan, compared to a loss of 2.002 million yuan in the previous year [2]. - The company's revenue growth has slowed compared to previous years, and it has not yet returned to the revenue scale of over 1 billion yuan seen in 2015 [6]. Product Performance - Jelly products remain the largest revenue contributor, generating sales of 531 million yuan in 2024, a decrease of approximately 6.5% year-on-year, accounting for 53.2% of total revenue [3]. - The seasoning business also performed poorly, with sales declining by 6.6% in 2024 [3]. - Conversely, the puffed food category saw growth, achieving sales of 312 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.7% [3]. Growth Drivers - Other product categories, including candy, dried fruits, nuts, biscuits, baked goods, and rice wine, experienced a 30% increase in sales, primarily due to the introduction of new rice wine products [4]. - Qinqin Food established its first rice wine production base in Xiaogan, Hubei, which began trial production in 2020 [4]. Strategic Adjustments - The company has been adjusting its investment strategy, closing a loss-making production base in Ningxia and recording a one-time disposal loss of approximately 6.1 million yuan [7][8]. - In 2024, Qinqin Food reported no net losses from fair value changes, a significant improvement compared to previous years [7]. Profitability and Cost Management - The gross profit margin for 2024 was 28.3%, an increase of 1.9 percentage points year-on-year, although it has decreased from 42.4% a decade ago [8]. - The company is focusing on enhancing profitability through improved production management and cost control, while also exploring investment opportunities in rapidly growing consumer goods companies [7][8].