Core Insights - The article highlights the growing significance of the ACG (Anime, Comic, and Game) culture in the retail sector, particularly during the recent May Day holiday, with a notable increase in offline events and consumer engagement [1][2][8]. Group 1: Event Highlights - During the May Day holiday, a total of 158 ACG-related offline events were held across six major cities in China, with Shanghai hosting over 60 events [1][7]. - Popular events included themed pop-up stores and exhibitions, such as the "Detective Conan 30th Anniversary Exhibition," which generated sales of 3.05 million yuan over five days [8]. - The Dazhong City shopping centers reported a total sales figure of 160 million yuan during the holiday, with over 2 million visitors [8]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Young consumers are increasingly drawn to ACG culture, viewing purchases as tickets to another world rather than mere products [3][25]. - Long queues and high demand for limited edition items were observed, with some fans waiting over five hours to purchase exclusive merchandise [5][8]. - The phenomenon of "eating谷" (consuming ACG products) has become a social activity, with many fans sharing experiences and forming communities around their interests [24][25]. Group 3: Market Growth - The ACG market in China is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting a market size of 168.9 billion yuan by 2024, reflecting a 40.63% increase from 2023 [20]. - Major brands like 卡游 (Kawoo) have reported substantial revenue growth, with 2022 revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan and a net profit of 4.466 billion yuan [20][22]. - The number of ACG-related stores in major shopping centers has surged, with Dazhong City reporting over 311 ACG stores and total sales surpassing 1.11 billion yuan [18]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The ACG retail sector is evolving towards scale and industrialization, with several leading brands emerging, supported by strong IP resources and product channels [22]. - The offline ACG market is expected to enter a rapid growth phase starting in 2025, with more diverse business models developing [23]. - The unique experience of purchasing and unboxing ACG products in-store is a key driver of consumer engagement, differentiating it from online shopping [23][24].