Group 1 - COS, a brand under H&M Group, is restarting its expansion plan in China, opening new stores in major cities like Beijing and Shenzhen after nearly two years of inactivity [1][4] - As of now, COS has a total of 40 stores in China, with a focus on first-tier and new first-tier cities, maintaining a similar strategy to its previous expansion efforts [1][3] - The brand's recent store openings are part of a broader trend where fast fashion brands are facing challenges in the Chinese market, leading to a pause or reduction in expansion for many mid-range brands [3][4] Group 2 - COS's store selection criteria resemble those of luxury brands, primarily opening in high-end projects managed by top real estate developers [6] - The brand has gained attention as a "premium alternative" amid the global luxury market slowdown, with a notable rise in its ranking on fashion search engines [6][7] - COS has launched a high-end line, COS Atelier, to differentiate itself further, although the effectiveness of this strategy remains uncertain [7][8]