Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive landscape of the collectible toy industry, focusing on the contrasting positions of Pop Mart and 52TOYS, highlighting the challenges 52TOYS faces in replicating Pop Mart's success in terms of brand recognition, sales channels, and profitability [1][12][18]. Group 1: Market Position and Performance - Pop Mart has achieved significant market success with a market capitalization close to HKD 350 billion, driven by popular IPs like LABUBU [1]. - 52TOYS has submitted its prospectus for an IPO in Hong Kong and has secured new financing from notable investors, indicating strong market interest [2][3]. - In terms of GMV, 52TOYS ranks third among Chinese IP toy companies, with a market share of only 1.2%, compared to Pop Mart's 11.5% [3][4]. Group 2: IP Strategy and Revenue Structure - 52TOYS employs a dual strategy of developing its own IPs while also relying heavily on licensed IPs, with 64.5% of its revenue coming from licensed IPs in 2024 [4][14]. - The company has 35 proprietary IPs and 80 licensed IPs, but its reliance on licensed IPs has led to a decline in the contribution of proprietary IPs to revenue [4][5]. - The absence of blockbuster proprietary IPs has resulted in lower sales and market differentiation, as seen with the performance of its self-developed IPs compared to licensed ones like Crayon Shin-chan [5][14]. Group 3: Sales Channels and Distribution - 52TOYS has a limited number of direct retail stores, with only 8 locations across five cities, contrasting sharply with Pop Mart's 401 stores [9][10]. - The sales structure of 52TOYS is heavily reliant on distributors, with over 60% of sales coming from this channel, which limits direct consumer engagement [10][11]. - The company's slow expansion in direct retail stores hampers its ability to create a strong brand presence and customer loyalty compared to competitors [10][11]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Profitability - 52TOYS reported revenues of CNY 630 million in 2024, significantly lower than Pop Mart's CNY 13.038 billion, highlighting a stark revenue disparity [12][18]. - The gross margin for 52TOYS has fluctuated between 28.9% and 40.5%, while Pop Mart maintains a gross margin of 66.8%, indicating a significant profitability gap [13][14]. - The high cost structure of 52TOYS, driven by reliance on licensed IPs and a diverse product range, further erodes its profitability [14][15]. Group 5: Challenges and Industry Insights - The article emphasizes that the collectible toy industry has high barriers to entry, requiring a combination of proprietary blockbuster IPs, customer loyalty, and effective distribution channels for sustained growth [17]. - The challenges faced by 52TOYS in replicating Pop Mart's success are not just about product offerings but also involve fundamental differences in brand strategy and market approach [18].

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid growth and increasing market interest in China's潮玩 (trendy toys) and文创 (cultural and creative) industries, with companies like 铜师傅 (Copper Master) and 52TOYS pursuing IPOs to capitalize on this trend [2][15]. Company Overview: 铜师傅 (Copper Master) - 铜师傅 submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 9, 2023, aiming for a main board listing, with 招银国际 (Zhaoyin International) as the sole sponsor [4]. - The company, founded in 2013, specializes in copper-based cultural and creative products, with notable IP collaborations including《变形金刚》(Transformers) and《流浪地球》(The Wandering Earth) [6]. - Revenue figures for 铜师傅 from 2022 to 2024 were reported as 5.03 billion, 5.06 billion, and 5.71 billion RMB, with net profits of 56.94 million, 44.13 million, and 78.98 million RMB respectively, indicating a fluctuating net profit margin [6][9]. - The company heavily relies on copper products, which accounted for 96.6% of its revenue in 2024, despite attempts to diversify into other materials [7]. Company Overview: 52TOYS - 52TOYS, established in 2015, is a leading IP toy company in China, with a diverse portfolio of 35 proprietary IPs and 80 licensed IPs [10]. - The company reported revenues of 4.63 billion, 4.82 billion, and 6.30 billion RMB from 2022 to 2024, with a significant portion of revenue derived from licensed IPs, which accounted for 64.5% of total revenue by 2024 [10][11]. - Despite revenue growth, 52TOYS faced net losses of 1.71 million, 71.93 million, and 122 million RMB over the same period, highlighting challenges in profitability [10][11]. - The company is actively expanding internationally, with overseas revenue reaching 1.47 billion RMB in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 100% [12]. Market Trends - The潮玩 and文创 industries in China are experiencing a surge in consumer demand for personalized and culturally rich products, with the overall潮玩 market size estimated at approximately 345 billion RMB [15]. - The盲盒 (blind box) segment has shown explosive growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 122% from 2017 to 2021, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences [15]. - The article notes a shift in the industry towards more refined operations, with companies leveraging IPOs to expand their IP portfolios and enhance global reach [15][16].

Core Viewpoint - 52TOYS has submitted its IPO prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, having previously secured an investment of 140 million RMB from Ru Yi Investment. The company reported revenues of 630 million RMB and a net profit of approximately 30 million RMB in 2024 [1]. Financial Performance - 52TOYS' revenue from 2022 to 2024 was 463 million RMB, 482 million RMB, and 630 million RMB respectively [1][2]. - The company recorded net losses of 1.708 million RMB and 71.934 million RMB in 2022 and 2023, with a further loss of 121.514 million RMB in 2024. However, adjusted net profits (non-IFRS) showed improvement, moving from -56.754 million RMB in 2022 to 32.013 million RMB in 2024 [2]. - The adjusted net profit margins (non-IFRS) improved from -12.3% in 2022 to 5.1% in 2024 [2]. Valuation and Revenue Sources - The valuation of 52TOYS has exceeded 2 billion HKD, reflecting an increase from the valuation at the time of Ru Yi Investment [2]. - In 2024, revenue from licensed IP accounted for 64.5% of the company's total revenue, indicating a significant reliance on this revenue stream [2]. IP Operations and Market Position - As of December 31, 2024, 52TOYS has incubated and operated 35 proprietary IPs and holds 80 licensed IPs across various fields such as animation, film, comics, and games [3]. - The company ranks second among multi-category Chinese IP toy companies and seventh in the overall Chinese IP toy market based on GMV in 2024, showcasing its competitive position [3]. Shareholding Structure - The largest shareholders, Chen Wei, Huang Jin, and Bai Jie, collectively hold approximately 36.81% of 52TOYS' shares as concerted actors [3]. - Prior to the IPO, the investment from Ru Yi allowed Chen Wei and partners to cash out nearly 60 million RMB [3].

Core Viewpoint - 52TOYS is projected to achieve a revenue of 630 million RMB and a net profit of approximately 30 million RMB in 2024, indicating growth in its financial performance [1][2]. Financial Performance - Revenue for 52TOYS from 2022 to 2024 is reported as 463 million RMB, 482 million RMB, and 630 million RMB respectively, while net losses are recorded at 1.71 million RMB, 71.93 million RMB, and 122 million RMB [2][3]. - Adjusted net profit (non-IFRS) shows a recovery from -56.75 million RMB in 2022 to 32.01 million RMB in 2024, reflecting a positive trend [4][12]. - The gross profit margin for 2024 is 39.9%, with a notable increase in gross profit from 133.65 million RMB in 2022 to 251.53 million RMB in 2024 [12][14]. Revenue Sources - The majority of 52TOYS' revenue comes from licensed IP, contributing 64.5% of total revenue in 2024, while self-owned IP sales are 1.54 billion RMB [6][10]. - The company has developed and operates 35 self-owned IPs, with significant contributions from popular IPs like Sleep and Beast Box [8][10]. Market Position - The IP derivative market in China is projected to grow from 174.2 billion RMB in 2024 to 335.7 billion RMB by 2029, with the IP toy market expected to reach 756 billion RMB in 2024 [6]. - 52TOYS ranks third among Chinese IP toy companies and second among multi-category IP toy companies based on GMV in 2024 [17]. Sales Channels - 52TOYS primarily relies on distributors for sales, with distributor sales accounting for 66.8% of total revenue in 2024, while direct sales contribute only 30.9% [15][16]. - The company has expanded its sales channels to Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and North America, with domestic revenue making up 76.6% of total revenue in 2024 [17][18]. IP Licensing and Costs - 52TOYS has invested over 100 million RMB in licensing fees for IPs over the past three years, with significant upcoming expirations for major IPs like Disney and Crayon Shin-chan [10][13]. - The cost of goods sold for 52TOYS' products has been increasing, with a notable rise in costs associated with licensed IP [14].