Core Insights - In the increasingly competitive smart technology industry, technological innovation is essential for companies to maintain market presence and achieve sustainable growth, with talent reserve and patent accumulation being key indicators of a company's technological strength [1] Group 1: R&D Team and Investment - Coosea has significantly invested in building its R&D team, which now consists of nearly 1,000 members covering critical fields such as communication technology, optical engineering, software development, industrial design, and electronic information, forming a multidisciplinary collaborative technical system [3] - The core members of the R&D team average over 8 years of experience in the smartphone industry, providing them with a deep understanding of industry trends and the ability to predict future developments [3] - Coosea regularly organizes professional training and expert lectures to stimulate innovation and promotes cross-departmental and cross-disciplinary collaboration, creating an efficient platform for technical research and development [3] Group 2: Patent Accumulation and Technological Strength - Coosea holds over 100 patents that cover three core areas: smart hardware underlying technology, artificial intelligence-related technology, and mobile appearance and interaction design [4] - The proprietary smart operating system, didoOS, has undergone over ten years of continuous iteration since its launch in 2014, improving system performance by 5%-35% compared to the basic version, with a global user base exceeding 10 million [4] - Coosea has initiated vertical industry small model training for AI since last year, focusing on intent recognition, semantic understanding, and command execution capabilities, with successful bids for AI frame and desktop robot projects [4] Group 3: Synergy Between Talent and Patents - The advantages of talent and patents are interdependent, creating a synergistic effect that drives Coosea's technological iteration [6] - During the didoOS upgrade, the R&D team optimizes system performance while patent-protected underlying technologies ensure system stability and security [6] - Coosea has established three R&D centers in Shenzhen, Xi'an, and Yibin, which work in conjunction with the Yibin industrial park to create an efficient operation model that supports global customer demands [6]

Core Viewpoint - KK Group is involved in a legal dispute with Miniso regarding trademark infringement and unfair competition related to its brand "THE COLORIST," which is set to be heard in court on September 1. This case is significant for intellectual property protection in the beauty retail industry [2][4]. Company Overview - KK Group, established in 2015, is a leading new retail enterprise in China, owning multiple brands including "THE COLORIST," "KKV," and X11. The company has expanded to over 1,000 stores across more than 200 cities globally, including locations in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia [2][3]. Legal Background - The dispute began in 2019 when KK Group's brand "THE COLORIST" was registered by "Axin Technology" in China and by "Shenzhen Falaisheng" in several overseas countries, both of which are linked to Miniso. KK Group opened its first stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen on September 26, 2019, quickly gaining recognition as a leading beauty retail brand [3][4]. Previous Legal Actions - Since 2020, KK Group has taken legal actions to protect its trademarks. The Beijing High People's Court ruled in favor of KK Group, stating that the registration by the infringing party constituted "unfair means of registration," leading to the cancellation of the trademark. Additionally, the Nanjing Intermediate People's Court found that Miniso's "WOW COLOUR" store design was highly similar to "THE COLORIST," ordering a cessation of infringement and a compensation of 2 million yuan [4][5]. Industry Context - The beauty retail sector in China has seen explosive growth, with the market size reaching 13 billion yuan in 2021 and projected to exceed 40 billion yuan by 2025. However, the industry faces challenges of homogenization, with many brands adopting similar business models and store designs, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between them [5][6]. Market Trends - Recent reports indicate a slowdown in growth within the beauty retail sector, with some brands closing stores due to poor management. For instance, Sasa International announced the closure of its last 18 stores in mainland China in June 2025. In the first half of 2025, at least 34 domestic and international brands announced closures or exits from the Chinese market [6].

Core Viewpoint - The trademark dispute between KK Group and Miniso is set to be heard in court on September 1, highlighting ongoing legal battles in the new retail sector [2] Group 1: Background of the Dispute - The dispute originated in 2019 when KK Group's beauty retail brand "THE COLORIST" faced trademark registration issues in China and abroad, allegedly linked to Miniso [3] - KK Group initiated legal action in 2020 to protect its trademark rights, resulting in favorable court rulings against the trademark registrations by associated companies of Miniso [3] Group 2: KK Group's Business Development - KK Group was founded in 2015 and has rapidly expanded its brand portfolio, launching several retail brands including "KKV" and "X11" [4][5] - The company has raised over 4 billion yuan through multiple funding rounds, with significant investments from notable firms, including a recent $300 million round led by JD.com [6] Group 3: Financial Performance - KK Group's revenue showed growth from 16.46 billion yuan in 2020 to 47.69 billion yuan in 2023, with a turnaround to profitability in 2023 [6][7] - The average monthly GMV per store reached 734,000 yuan in 2023, reflecting a 43.8% year-on-year increase [7] - Despite the growth in revenue, the number of franchise stores has declined significantly, from 424 in 2020 to just 109 by October 2023 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The KK Group is suing Miniso and its affiliates for trademark infringement and unfair competition regarding its brand "THE COLORIST," with the trial set for September 1, which could significantly impact intellectual property protection in the beauty retail industry [2][3]. Company Dynamics - KK Group, established in 2015, operates multiple brands including "THE COLORIST," "KKV," and X11, and has expanded to over 1,000 stores across more than 200 cities globally, including locations in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia [7]. - The company has been actively pursuing legal actions against trademark infringement since 2019, achieving partial victories in previous cases [3][6]. - KK Group has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange four times since November 2021, with the latest application now expired, but the company states that the IPO process is progressing as planned [7]. Industry Overview - The beauty retail sector in China has seen explosive growth, with the market size reaching 130 billion yuan in 2021 and projected to exceed 400 billion yuan by 2025 [5]. - The rapid expansion has led to increased competition and a rise in trademark disputes due to the high degree of similarity among brands, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between them [5][6]. - The industry has experienced a slowdown in growth, with many brands closing stores or exiting the market, including the closure of 18 stores by Sa Sa International in mainland China by June 2025 [6].

Core Insights - Southeast Asia is emerging as a high-certainty area for new consumption, with growth rates projected at 4.5% to 4.7% for ASEAN countries compared to a global average of 3.2% [2] - Chinese brands are capitalizing on this consumption upgrade trend, establishing a strong presence in Southeast Asia through various sectors, including tea, toys, and electronics [2][5] - The rise of Chinese brands in Southeast Asia reflects a broader trend of globalization and the adaptation of brands to local markets [2][6] Group 1 - Chinese tea brand Mixue Ice City has become particularly popular in Southeast Asia, with over a thousand stores in Vietnam and significant market penetration in Indonesia [6][8] - The toy brand Labubu has sparked a "Chinese toy craze" in Southeast Asia, significantly boosting sales and tourism in Thailand and Vietnam [8][10] - KKV, a new consumption brand, has opened over 50 stores in Southeast Asia, collaborating with numerous Chinese brands to enhance market presence [10][11] Group 2 - The initial strategy for Chinese brands entering Southeast Asia focused on rapid market penetration, exemplified by Mixue Ice City's aggressive store openings [13] - The second phase involves capturing consumer mindshare, as the Southeast Asian market is still in its early stages of market education [13] - Challenges for brands include regulatory hurdles and the need for localized operations, which can complicate market entry [16][17] Group 3 - KKV has facilitated market entry for various brands by handling import regulations and reducing costs associated with entering local markets [19][20] - The collaborative approach among Chinese brands has proven effective, allowing them to leverage shared resources and market knowledge [21][22] - The success of KKV's model in Southeast Asia may serve as a blueprint for future expansions into other regions, including the Middle East and Europe [38][42]