Vi e w p o i n t | 16 Nov 2025 16:19:20 ET │ 12 pages CITI'S TAKE We hosted meetings for Pop Mart at Citi China Conference in Shanghai on 14 Nov and store visits during consumer tours in Nanning and Shenzhen recently. We still perceive Pop Mart as a scarcity growth play in the China consumer space on its unparalleled capability of IP incubation and operation. The concerns over growth sustainability and single IP risks should be addressed by its sustained strength in new product launch and IP operation, in o ...

Core Viewpoint - The market's concerns regarding Pop Mart's growth sustainability and single IP risk are considered excessive, with the company's core value lying in its unparalleled IP incubation and operational capabilities [1][4]. Group 1: IP Strength and Growth - The flagship IP Labubu has strong vitality, with its 4.0 version postponed to 2026 due to high demand for Labubu 3.0, and Sony Pictures is reported to have acquired the film adaptation rights, potentially enhancing the IP's global recognition [4][8]. - The company is diversifying its growth engines by actively managing online pre-sale scales to ensure sustainable IP operations, with a successful IP matrix formed around Labubu, SKULLPANDA, and CRYBABY, effectively mitigating risks [4][9]. Group 2: Global Expansion and Market Performance - Pop Mart's global expansion is exceeding expectations, particularly in the U.S. and Japan, with plans to optimize operations and deepen local market channels [6][10]. - The company aims to operate over 60 stores in the U.S. by the end of 2025, with additional plans for Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East, emphasizing localized operations and partnerships [10]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Financial projections indicate significant growth, with net profit expected to rise from 1.082 billion RMB in 2023 to 23.169 billion RMB by 2027, and diluted EPS increasing from 0.807 RMB to 17.370 RMB over the same period [7]. - Citi has set a target price of 415.00 HKD for Pop Mart, representing a potential upside of 91.8% from the closing price of 216.40 HKD, based on a 28x P/E ratio for 2026 [1][13].

Core Viewpoint - The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, showcasing the global leading trend culture and entertainment group, Pop Mart, which highlights its popular IPs SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, creating an immersive experience for attendees [1][3]. Group 1: Event Highlights - Pop Mart's exhibition theme is "Creating Trends, Boundless Play," featuring a birthday celebration design to commemorate the company's 15th anniversary, creating a warm and festive atmosphere [3]. - The exhibition booth includes a giant birthday cake adorned with various IP characters that have accompanied the brand's growth, symbolizing the connection to a beautiful life [3]. Group 2: IP Showcase - Pop Mart emphasizes its popular IPs SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, with SKULLPANDA designed by artist 熊喵, representing the aesthetic of "boundless imagery" and encouraging self-exploration [5]. - CRYBABY, created by Thai artist Molly, focuses on emotional expression and resonates deeply with global audiences, advocating for facing emotions and moving forward [5]. - The exhibition also features limited edition products that incorporate local cultures, enhancing the connection with global consumers [5]. Group 3: Product Innovation - Pop Mart showcases a variety of products, including figurines and plush toys, allowing attendees to experience the brand's unique culture and service [6]. - The company continues to innovate product categories, expanding consumer engagement through the use of PVC plush toys that enhance expression and display [6]. - Pop Mart has developed a diverse product matrix and is exploring new business areas such as building blocks, desserts, and jewelry, breathing new life into its IPs [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The company reports that all four major regions achieved over 100% growth in the first half of 2025, with the Americas experiencing a tenfold increase, indicating a successful internationalization strategy [8]. - Pop Mart aims to maintain its brand essence and collaborate with artists to create a better trend lifestyle in the future [10].

Group 1: Market Trends - The China International Import Expo showcases a variety of intelligent products and trendy items, reflecting new consumer themes, scenarios, and trends in the market [1] - Exhibitors express confidence in the Chinese market due to a transparent and stable policy environment, as well as a fair and inclusive market atmosphere [1][2] - The demand for health-related products is on the rise, with companies like lululemon noting that the Chinese market has become one of their fastest-growing regions [2] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - There is a noticeable increase in consumer awareness regarding health products, with a growing demand for high-quality, environmentally friendly, and natural health products [2] - Interest consumption is expanding, as seen with brands like PEZ and Pop Mart, which leverage emotional connections through popular IPs to attract consumers [3] Group 3: Technological Advancements - The trend of intelligent upgrades is evident, with companies like Samsung integrating AI into their products to enhance consumer experiences [4] - SYR Hansgrohe showcases AI applications in their products, such as a dual-tank soft water system that learns user habits and predicts water usage trends [4]

Core Insights - The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, showcasing various brands including Pop Mart, which emphasizes its theme of "Creating Trends, Boundless Play" [1][4] - Pop Mart prominently features its popular IPs, SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, creating an immersive experience for attendees [4] Group 1: Event Highlights - Pop Mart's exhibition design is inspired by a "birthday celebration," creating a warm and festive atmosphere with a giant birthday cake adorned with various IP characters [1] - The SKULLPANDA character, created by artist 熊喵, embodies the aesthetic concept of "boundless imagery," while CRYBABY, designed by Thai artist Molly, focuses on emotional expression and resonates globally [4] Group 2: Product and Market Expansion - Pop Mart showcases a diverse range of products including figurines and plush toys, enhancing the customer experience with smooth offline services and unique brand culture [4] - The company is expanding its product matrix to include new categories such as building blocks, desserts, and jewelry, breathing new life into its IPs and enriching consumer experiences [4] - By 2025, Pop Mart aims for triple-digit growth across four major regions, with the Americas experiencing over tenfold growth, marking a significant milestone in its international strategy [4] Group 3: Global Presence - Pop Mart continues to establish its presence in iconic global locations, opening its first store in landmark areas such as Cambridge, UK, and Bali, Indonesia, with a total of over 570 stores worldwide [5] - The company has also opened its first store in the Middle East at Hamad International Airport in Doha, becoming the first Chinese brand to enter this airport [5]

Core Insights - The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held in Shanghai, with Pop Mart showcasing its popular IPs SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY under the theme "Creating Trends, Boundless Play" [1][4] - Pop Mart's booth features a giant brown cake, but the anticipated Labubu character is not present, as the company aims to highlight its diverse range of IPs beyond Labubu [1][4] - The exhibition is for display purposes only, and no products are for sale at the Pop Mart booth [3] Company Highlights - SKULLPANDA, created by artist Xiong Miao, features a design that includes an astronaut helmet and promotes the aesthetic concept of "boundless imagery," encouraging exploration and self-discovery [4] - CRYBABY, designed by Thai artist Molly, focuses on emotional expression and advocates for facing emotions and moving forward bravely [4] - Pop Mart aims to leverage the international platform of CIIE to showcase its diverse IPs and the limitless possibilities of trendy toys to a global audience [4] Performance Metrics - In the first half of 2025, Pop Mart's performance across four major regions achieved over 300% growth, with the Americas experiencing a growth rate exceeding tenfold [4] - The total number of Pop Mart stores worldwide has surpassed 570 [4]

Core Insights - The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, showcasing global consumer trends and lifestyle aspirations [1] - Pop Mart, a leading cultural and entertainment group, is celebrating its 15th anniversary at the expo with a themed booth that highlights its IP-centric strategy [1][4] - The expo features over 4,108 overseas exhibitors from 155 countries and regions, marking a record high in exhibition area and number of companies [3] Company Highlights - Pop Mart's booth features popular IPs SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, designed to create an immersive experience for attendees [2][4] - SKULLPANDA, created by artist 熊喵, embodies the aesthetic of "boundless imagery," while CRYBABY, by artist Molly, focuses on emotional expression [2] - The company has expanded its product range to include various categories such as figurines and plush toys, enhancing consumer engagement [3] International Strategy - Pop Mart's international strategy has led to significant growth, with all four major regions achieving triple-digit growth in the first half of 2025, particularly in the Americas with over tenfold growth [4] - The company has opened its first store in Qatar at Hamad International Airport, marking its entry into the Middle East [4] - By 2025, Pop Mart aims to continue expanding its global presence, having already surpassed 570 stores worldwide [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the participation of Pop Mart at the 8th China International Import Expo, showcasing its internationalization and IP-centric strategy through popular IPs like SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, while celebrating its 15th anniversary [3][5][11]. Group 1: Event Overview - The 8th China International Import Expo took place from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, featuring Pop Mart in the consumer goods section with a theme of "Creating Trends, Boundless Play" [3]. - Pop Mart's booth design was inspired by a "birthday celebration," reflecting its achievements in IP-driven internationalization and attracting significant visitor interaction [5][11]. Group 2: IP Showcase - Pop Mart prominently displayed its popular IPs SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY, which resonate emotionally with global consumers and embody high-quality lifestyle aspirations [7][10]. - SKULLPANDA, created by artist 熊喵, promotes the aesthetic of "boundless exploration," while CRYBABY, by artist Molly, focuses on emotional expression, both of which have gained global resonance [7][9]. Group 3: Product Innovation - The company showcased a variety of products, including figurines and plush toys, emphasizing its innovative approach to expand consumer engagement [9]. - Pop Mart has developed a diverse product matrix, including new categories like building blocks and jewelry, enhancing the life of its IPs and providing varied consumer experiences [9][13]. Group 4: Global Expansion - Pop Mart's international strategy has led to significant growth, with all four major regions achieving over 100% growth in the first half of 2025, particularly in the Americas, which saw a tenfold increase [13][15]. - The company has opened its first stores in iconic locations globally, including the UK and Indonesia, and recently established its first store in Qatar, marking a significant milestone for a Chinese brand [15].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the impressive growth of Pop Mart in Q3 2025, with significant revenue increases in both domestic and international markets, particularly in the Americas and Europe [4][11][12] - Pop Mart's overall revenue for Q3 2025 is reported to have increased by 245% to 250% year-on-year, with domestic revenue growing by 185% to 190% and overseas revenue soaring by 365% to 370% [11][12] - The company's stock price has faced volatility, dropping 8.08% on the day of the earnings announcement and further declining by 9.36% shortly after, leading to a market capitalization decrease from over 400 billion HKD to approximately 312.1 billion HKD [4][11][13] Group 2 - The LABUBU IP has been a significant driver of revenue for Pop Mart, with its sales skyrocketing from 3.68 billion CNY in 2023 to 30.41 billion CNY in 2024, representing a 726.6% increase [15][16] - The article emphasizes the importance of continuing to innovate and develop new IPs to maintain competitive advantage, as the company heavily relies on LABUBU for growth [5][17] - Despite the strong performance of LABUBU, other IPs like MOLLY and SKULLPANDA have seen a decline in revenue share, indicating a need for diversification in revenue sources [16][17] Group 3 - Recent reports indicate significant price fluctuations for Pop Mart's products, with some items experiencing over a 50% drop in resale value shortly after launch [19][20] - The company has seen a resurgence in consumer interest with the launch of new products, such as the Halloween series, which achieved high resale prices, indicating ongoing demand despite previous price drops [20][21] - Pop Mart's founder has expressed a commitment to building long-lasting IPs rather than fleeting trends, highlighting the company's strategic focus on sustainable growth [21]

Core Viewpoint - The rise of discount blind boxes at "Hao Te Mai" reflects the oversaturation of the blind box market, indicating structural contradictions within the industry. The ability of companies to maintain high-value IPs is crucial for their survival and growth in market valuation [5][14]. Group 1: Discount Blind Boxes - "Hao Te Mai" has become a popular destination for young consumers seeking discounted blind boxes, with prices significantly lower than market rates, often around 50% to 70% off [6][10]. - The low prices come with trade-offs, as many blind boxes available are outdated or less popular, leading to a perception of "picking up trash" rather than valuable collectibles [7][10]. - Despite the low prices, some consumers have found value in older or less common IPs, but the overall experience can be hit or miss due to inconsistent stock across locations [10][11]. Group 2: Implications for Blind Box Companies - The influx of blind boxes into discount channels like "Hao Te Mai" can signal failure for those products, negatively impacting the gross margins of the companies involved [15][18]. - Successful companies like Pop Mart have differentiated themselves by developing proprietary IPs, achieving high gross margins of 70.3% and significant revenue growth, while others struggle with lower margins due to reliance on external IPs [15][18]. - The ability to create successful IPs is critical, as evidenced by the rapid revenue growth of certain IPs under Pop Mart, which have seen increases of up to 668% year-on-year [18][19]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - The relationship between blind box companies and discount retailers is complex, as companies may benefit from clearing unsold inventory but risk damaging their brand image if too many products are seen as failures [23][26]. - "Hao Te Mai" has shifted its focus to include more blind boxes and related products, aiming to capitalize on the growing trend while managing its brand perception [26][27]. - The challenge remains for "Hao Te Mai" to establish itself as a reliable source of quality products while avoiding the stigma of selling counterfeit or low-quality items, which could undermine consumer trust [26][27].