Summary of Conference Call Notes Company and Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the performance and strategies of **Tao Bo** (滔搏) in the sports retail industry, particularly focusing on brands like **Nike** and **Adidas** [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments Sales Performance and Guidance - The company has lowered its profit guidance due to weak terminal performance at the beginning of 2026, although sales improved in January and February compared to December, with a year-on-year increase noted for the combined sales of these two months [2][4]. - The sales growth in January and February was influenced by the timing of the Spring Festival and extended promotional periods, but there was a noted decline in sales data following the festival [2][5]. - The company maintains a cautious outlook for the rest of 2026, with more detailed data expected to be released in May [2][4]. Inventory and Discount Management - The discount rate has deepened year-on-year but has narrowed compared to the previous quarter, indicating a strategic response to market conditions [2][4]. - Inventory levels are reported to be healthy, with a stock-to-sales ratio maintained at 4-5 months [2][4][10]. - The company has been optimizing its store count, expecting to have around 4,500 stores by the end of February, having closed inefficient and high-loss stores [2][5]. Brand Performance - **Nike** is experiencing a transitional phase with a change in leadership in the Greater China region, which is expected to continue its localization strategy [2][9]. - **Adidas** has been more proactive in localization, with over 60% of its products being locally sourced, and has shown significant improvements in its marketing and product line responsiveness to Chinese consumer preferences [3][15]. - The performance of European brands has outpaced Nike, while Adidas has shown marginal improvements after a challenging period [6][7]. Inventory Management and Future Strategies - Nike's inventory reduction efforts are focused on classic models, which have seen a significant decrease in their share of overall inventory [10][11]. - The company is adopting a cautious approach to ordering, with a downward trend in order volumes due to uncertain demand recovery [12][14]. - Adidas is also facing potential risks from increasing global inventory levels, which could impact its future performance [3][14]. Channel Performance - Offline sales outperformed online sales in February, although the overall online performance was better for Q4 [6][7]. - The company is shifting its focus towards enhancing online efficiency and exploring new retail channels, including live streaming and instant retail [18][19]. Economic Factors - There has been no significant impact from tariff changes or currency fluctuations on the company's operations, as most products are sourced directly from suppliers in Southeast Asia [26][27]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates that as inventory levels stabilize, it will shift its operational focus towards enhancing profitability and managing costs effectively [22][24]. - The introduction of new products is expected to play a crucial role in driving sales recovery in the latter half of 2026 [22][23]. Additional Important Content - The company is closely monitoring the performance of its new partnerships in professional running and outdoor brands, which are currently at a low scale but show promise for future growth [25]. - The competitive landscape remains challenging, with ongoing pressure from discounting strategies and the need to balance sales growth with profitability [22][24].