Core Insights - Mondelez International reported a 5.87% year-over-year revenue increase to $9.744 billion in Q3, despite a 12.90% decline in gross profit to $2.612 billion and a 35.5% drop in operating profit to $744 million [1] - The revenue growth was primarily driven by higher net pricing, favorable currency effects, and an $870 million incremental net revenue from the acquisition of Chinese frozen bakery company Enxi Village, partially offset by unfavorable volume and product mix factors [1] - The operating profit margin decreased by 4.9% to 7.6%, with adjusted operating profit margin down 6.9% to 12.0%, mainly due to higher raw material costs and unfavorable product mix, although partially mitigated by higher net pricing and lower advertising costs [1] Revenue Breakdown - By product category, cookie revenue increased by 4.21% to $4.799 billion, chocolate revenue rose by 10.53% to $3.076 billion, gum and candy revenue grew by 2.74% to $1.051 billion, and cheese and everyday consumables revenue increased by 8.09% to $601 million, while beverage revenue declined by 8.44% to $217 million [4] - By geographic region, revenue from Europe grew by 10.6% to $3.674 billion, accounting for 37.71% of total revenue; North America saw a 0.4% decline to $2.815 billion, representing 28.89%; "Asia, Middle East, and Africa" revenue increased by 9.0% to $2.017 billion, making up 20.70%; and Latin America revenue rose by 2.8% to $1.238 billion, accounting for 12.71% [4] Cocoa Cost Impact - Mondelez International anticipates that cocoa costs will be lower in 2026 compared to this year, but will continue to face cocoa costs above historical levels in the near and medium term [2] - The CEO mentioned unprecedented price increases of approximately 30% for products in the European market to address rising cocoa prices, although some price hikes have exceeded consumer acceptance [2] - The company is also exploring smaller, lower-priced chocolate product offerings as a response to these challenges [2] China Market Challenges - The company faces significant pressure in the Chinese market, with revenue growth rates only in the single digits and even experiencing single-digit negative growth in Q3 due to the consumption environment [5] - Despite short-term pressures in China, the company remains optimistic about future growth in the market [5]

Core Insights - Mondelez, the parent company of Oreo, is facing challenges in the Chinese market, reporting a low single-digit decline in Q3 2025, marking the first quarterly decline this year after several quarters of growth [1][3][5] - The CEO of Mondelez described the situation in China as a "new thing" for the company, indicating unexpected pressures despite overall positive growth earlier in the year [3][5] - The company is implementing a strategy to enhance product differentiation and improve distributor margins in response to the market challenges [6][8] Market Performance - In Q3, Mondelez's Chinese operations experienced a low single-digit decline due to weak consumer confidence and the impact of channel transformation [5][9] - Despite the decline, the company achieved positive growth earlier in the year, with a focus on expanding distribution channels [5][12] - The overall retail market for snacks in China is projected to reach 969.9 billion RMB in 2024, with a growth rate of 2.9%, slower than the previous year's 4.8% [9] Strategic Initiatives - Mondelez is focusing on product differentiation and has outlined a phased approach to enhance distributor margins by tightening sales of core products and low-priced items in various channels [6][8] - The company is also innovating with new products, such as a collaboration between Trident and Dongpeng, and expanding into the restaurant channel with Oreo products [11][12] - Operational efficiency is being improved through the establishment of new warehousing centers, enhancing logistics and supply chain responsiveness [11] Financial Performance - Mondelez's Q3 report showed a revenue increase of 3.4%, primarily driven by pricing rather than volume, leading to a downward revision of the full-year growth forecast from approximately 5% to over 4% [12][13] - The company reported that the acquisition of Enxi Village, a frozen bakery leader, contributed significantly to revenue, generating approximately 288 million USD (about 2.04 billion RMB) in net income for the first three quarters of the year [12] - The CFO indicated that cocoa costs are expected to decline in the coming year, which may positively impact profitability [16]

Core Insights - Mondelez International, the parent company of Oreo, is significantly reducing marketing costs through investment in artificial intelligence, indicating a shift in the consumer goods industry towards new technologies to reshape advertising production [1] - The company has developed a generative AI tool in collaboration with Publicis Groupe and Accenture, which is expected to cut marketing content production costs by 30% to 50% [1][2] - The AI tool is already being utilized for social media content in the U.S. and Germany, with plans for broader application in major e-commerce platforms and future advertising campaigns [1][2] Group 1: AI Implementation and Cost Reduction - The AI tool has demonstrated cost efficiency in actual business applications, significantly lowering the production costs of marketing content compared to traditional methods [2] - For instance, the cost of an eight-second video for "Lacta" chocolate was reduced to a fraction of the traditional animation costs, which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars [2] - The tool is set to enhance product displays for Oreo on major e-commerce platforms in the U.S. and will soon support marketing efforts in Brazil and the U.K. [2] Group 2: Competitive Landscape and Caution - Competitors like Kraft Heinz and Coca-Cola are also exploring AI in advertising, with Coca-Cola having previously launched an AI-generated holiday ad that sparked discussions about authenticity [3] - Mondelez International is adopting a cautious approach by avoiding the use of lifelike human images in AI-generated content and ensuring all AI outputs undergo human review [3] - The company has established clear guidelines to ensure brand safety, prohibiting AI content that promotes unhealthy eating habits or uses manipulative language [3]

Company Overview - Mondelez International operates in over 150 countries, providing snacks with an estimated net revenue of approximately $36.4 billion for 2024, and is part of major indices like S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and Dow Jones Sustainability Index [2] - The company entered the Chinese market in 1984, with its Greater China headquarters in Shanghai, producing and managing various products including biscuits, chocolates, gum, candies, and solid beverages under well-known brands like Oreo and Trident [2] - Mondelez employs around 4,000 people in China, with production bases in North, South, and East China, and a global R&D center located in East China [2] - The Suzhou Lake East factory received the Green Factory title from Jiangsu Province in 2021, and in January 2023, it joined the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network [2] Compliance and Ethics Initiatives - Mondelez International has established a training mechanism to cultivate a compliance culture, implementing a hybrid training program that deepens employees' understanding of core policies [3] - In 2024, the company conducted approximately 90 interactive compliance live courses, with around 43,000 employees completing the training online [3] - The company has developed and continuously updates a binding Code of Conduct, available in about 32 languages, outlining employees' responsibilities in conducting business lawfully and ethically [3] - All employees are required to undergo annual training on the Code of Conduct, ensuring they read, understand, and comply with its contents [3] Reporting and Accountability - Mondelez International provides accessible complaint mechanisms for employees, contractors, and subcontractors through its compliance and integrity program, with a free hotline and online reporting platform available in over 90 countries [4] - In 2024, the company's ethics and compliance department received over 2,900 contacts globally through these channels, primarily concerning inquiries about compliance policies and reporting of misconduct [4] - The company has integrated compliance principles into its supply chain management, with approximately 96% of its owned production sites and 98% of key suppliers having completed SMETA social responsibility audits in the past three years [4] - Mondelez aims for 100% coverage of its Cocoa Life program's child labor monitoring and remediation system in West Africa by 2025, having achieved 89% coverage in 2024 [4]

Group 1 - Shanghai is focusing on high-quality development and aims to become a world-class modern international metropolis, enhancing its appeal for global goods, especially high-quality and diverse food products [1] - The city welcomes global food companies like Mondelēz International to participate in the development of Shanghai's food industry, improve their headquarters capabilities, and integrate deeply into local supply chains [1] - Mondelēz International, ranked 436th in the Fortune Global 500, is a leader in the global snack industry and has established its Greater China headquarters in Shanghai [2] Group 2 - The CEO of Mondelēz International expressed that Shanghai represents future trends and is often ahead of the global curve, making each visit a learning experience [1] - The company aims to seize growth opportunities in the Chinese market, enhance consumer experiences, and share insights from China with the global market [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the balance between globalization and localization in supply chain management, emphasizing the importance of local innovation while leveraging global resources [3][4]. Group 1: Globalization and Localization - The relationship between globalization and localization requires a better balance, focusing on local consumer needs while utilizing global advantages [3]. - The company has achieved over 90% localization in packaging materials and raw materials in China, with 100% localization in biscuit production technology [3][4]. Group 2: Product Development Trends - The snack industry shows distinct market characteristics, with Chinese consumers preferring less sweet products due to health concerns, leading to the development of thinner, less sweet Oreo products [5]. - Local product development can inspire interest in other markets, showcasing a trend towards healthier snacks globally [5]. Group 3: Supply Chain Maturity and Challenges - The AMEA region faces varying supply chain maturity levels, with a need for patience in improving factory standards [6]. - The collaborative environment in China, supported by government and suppliers, is unique and not easily replicated elsewhere, highlighting the need for patience in global expansion [6][7]. Group 4: Talent Development and Leadership - The company employs two methodologies for talent development: "hunting" for specialized skills and "farming" for building foundational capabilities [9][10]. - Female leadership is emphasized, with a focus on establishing a unique leadership style and overcoming feelings of inadequacy [11]. Group 5: Lighthouse Factories and AI Integration - The Suzhou factory is recognized as a global lighthouse factory, showcasing advancements in employee engagement and technology integration [12][13]. - Future AI applications are expected to enhance decision-making processes and optimize supply chain efficiency [14][15]. Group 6: Future Supply Chain Challenges - Key challenges include building a flexible supply chain, ensuring sustainability, and engaging the new generation of workers [16]. - Recommendations for supply chain professionals include focusing on loss reduction, maintaining a broad perspective while addressing specific issues, and fostering collaboration [17][18][19].