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Articles by 澄韵
Browse 57 New Distribution articles by 澄韵.
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Is the Coffee Market, Crowded by Coca-Cola and Nongfu Spring, a Good Business for Brands?
Coffee, tea, and cocoa are known as the world's three major beverages. In 2019, while tea drinks were selling like hotcakes, the coffee market was equally active. Luckin continued its rapid expansion, Starbucks partnered with Nestlé and Alibaba, Coca-Cola acquired Costa, and many players entered the ready-to-drink (RTD) segment, including Coca-Cola's Georgia, Nongfu Spring's Tanbing, Uni-President's Yaha, Want Want's Bond, Yili's Saint Rest, and Mengniu's Daily Fresh Cold Brew Latte, creating a sense of fierce competition. Like tea, coffee can refresh the mind and is a natural and healthy functional beverage. Globally, the Chinese coffee market still has vast room for growth.
澄韵Some Go Public, Some Sell Out: Is the 2020 Snack Food Industry Reshuffling?
On February 23, after six years of preparation, the snack brand Bestore finally went public, surging 44.03% on its first day to hit the daily limit, with a total market value of 6.87 billion yuan. This brought the so-called 'Big Three' of Chinese snack e-commerce—Three Squirrels, Bestore, and Be & Cheery—together on the A-share market. However, just before Bestore's listing, Be & Cheery was sold by Haoxiangni to PepsiCo. In 2016, Haoxiangni acquired Be & Cheery for 960 million yuan, but on February 22, it sold the parent company for $705 million (about 5 billion yuan).
澄韵Hang in there, distributors! There are more solutions than difficulties...
During the Chinese New Year, the coronavirus outbreak has severely impacted FMCG distributors, especially those dealing in gift products. This article analyzes the impact on different categories, offers practical strategies to mitigate losses, and calls for manufacturer support and channel cooperation to overcome the crisis together.
澄韵Sponsoring Jiangsu TV New Year's Eve Concert: Can Beer Giant Succeed in the Soda Water Market?
On November 22, Tsingtao Brewery's Prince Seaweed Soda Water officially launched its new packaging, adopting the internationally popular slim can design, which is more stylish than traditional short cans. It is also set to appear as the official designated water at Jiangsu TV's 2020 New Year's Eve concert. This article analyzes the product's definition, Tsingtao's motivations, and its market strategy.
澄韵Nongfu Spring's New Sparkling Water Hits the Market: What Do Distributors Think?
Nongfu Spring has launched a new sparkling water in 410ml bottles, available in lemon and white peach flavors, marketed as natural mineral water with no sugar, no carbonation, and weak alkalinity, priced at 4 yuan per bottle. The product was piloted in early November and planned for national rollout by the end of November, but according to New Distribution, the launch has not gone as smoothly as planned: many regions still lack stock, and some distributors are reluctant to order. This article explores the reasons behind distributors' hesitation.
澄韵Year in Review | Major Events in the FMCG Industry in 2019: Bustling and Transient!
As 2019 draws to a close, the FMCG industry has been turbulent, with every company continuously iterating and transforming to adapt to the new market environment. New technologies, tools, channels, and models have emerged wave after wave, presenting both opportunities and pitfalls. This review highlights the major industry events of 2019 that are worth revisiting, offering insights, nostalgia, and perhaps a sense of involvement for you.
澄韵Soda Water Chaos
China's soda water market is poised for a chaotic battle as major brands enter the fray. With giants like Genki Forest, Tsingtao Beer, Uni-President, and Nongfu Spring launching new soda water products, the market is heating up, but consumer confusion between soda water and sparkling water may hinder growth.
澄韵Chasing Red Bull, How Likely Is Eastroc to Succeed in Its IPO?
In 2019, China's functional beverage market experienced a turbulent yet seemingly calm transition. Since the Red Bull trademark case in June, the launch of Red Bull Anaji pushed the dispute to a climax, with discussions lasting over three months. Eastroc, the industry's second-largest player, is now pursuing an IPO, facing both opportunities and challenges as it aims to close the gap with the embattled Red Bull.
澄韵Profile | Wang Xia, "Second Sister" of Xinjiang: From Budweiser to RELX, How Pioneer Trading Upholds the "Pioneer" Banner?
If Second Sister didn't say it, no one would guess her age. In her sixties, she still looks young and energetic. It's hard to imagine how she maintains her entrepreneurial passion after 20 years in distribution. Her real name is Wang Xia, but few call her that. Everyone calls her "Second Sister." Her business partner is Zhang Bo, 14 years younger, from a family with long-standing ties to hers. They've known each other since childhood, and since she's the second child, Zhang Bo has always called her Second Sister, and everyone followed suit. She likes the name because it feels close.
澄韵One Month After AnNaiJi's Launch: The Red Bull You Knew Is Back
Many 'heavy Red Bull dependents' who have tried AnNaiJi told New Distribution reporters, 'This is the original taste of Red Bull.' With the AnNaiJi JD flagship store now online, the battle between AnNaiJi and Hua Bin Red Bull has escalated both online and offline.
澄韵Major Move | Yili Enters Social E-commerce with New Probiotic Product, Why Are Brands So Obsessed?
Brands are flocking to the emerging field of social new retail. Recently, another major brand, Yili, announced its entry into social new retail with a new lactic acid bacteria product. The product, Yixiaojun, under Yili's 'Xinshiji' brand, was officially launched on July 19, marking Yili's official foray into social new retail.
澄韵Why Big Brands Fail at Niche Products
This article explores why many successful niche products come from small startups rather than big brands, highlighting the innovative advantages of niche brands and the challenges big brands face in adapting to new markets.
澄韵Using "Lithium Water" to Win Over Consumers Over 45? Nongfu Spring Isn't Even Trying!
Nongfu Spring has launched a lithium-containing natural mineral water, priced at about 4 yuan, targeting the middle-aged and elderly market. However, compared to its 2015 product launches, this effort appears less thoughtful, with unverified health claims, minimal packaging innovation, and questionable pricing.
澄韵Jinmailang and Baixiang: Once Equally Matched, Why the Huge Gap Today?
Once evenly matched rivals in China's instant noodle market, Jinmailang and Baixiang have diverged dramatically over the past decade due to different strategic choices by their founders. While Baixiang faltered after a failed premium positioning and internal turmoil, Jinmailang thrived through disciplined execution, innovative channel management, and a focus on core markets.
澄韵Is Wahaha Creating the Next Nutrition Express in Social E-commerce?
Wahaha has launched a new meal replacement yogurt called 'Youjian' in social e-commerce, aiming to replicate the success of its billion-yuan product Nutrition Express. The meal replacement food market is booming, with new brands and dairy giants entering, but distributors have mixed views on its potential.
澄韵Red Bull Anji: How Can Distributors Avoid Becoming Cannon Fodder?
As the summer promotion battle approaches, distributors of Red Bull Anji are anxious due to the brand's late entry and weak brand recognition. To avoid becoming casualties in the fight between Red Bull and Anji, distributors must prepare by strengthening their teams, developing new channels, and cooperating closely with brand owners.
澄韵Red Bull, Still Bullish?
From a fatalistic perspective, Red Bull was destined for this conflict, as its logo depicts two bulls locking horns. Today, Thai Tiansi's energy drink, Anaji, has reappeared in the public eye, not as mere spy shots but with high-definition images of large shipments, confirming that Anaji's market launch is a done deal. According to New Distribution, Huabin Group (China Red Bull) has held emergency meetings nationwide, and a storm is brewing in China's energy drink market.
澄韵Anergy Launches: What Should Red Bull Distributors Do?
Recently, news of Anergy's launch has resurfaced. According to disclosed information and leaked photos of Anergy shipments, industry insiders reveal that the first batch has arrived at distributors' warehouses in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with market distribution preparations underway. A veteran Red Bull distributor of over a decade expressed anxiety, noting that since the brand licensing dispute between China Red Bull and Thai Tencel began in 2016, distributors have been walking on eggshells, constantly wary and preparing contingency plans.
澄韵It's Done! Heineken 'Sells Itself' in China! China Resources Snow's 'Great Decisive Battle Dream' Takes Another Step Forward!
China Resources Beer's acquisition of Heineken's China operations has finally been completed. On April 30 (today), China Resources Beer officially announced that the purchase agreement with Heineken Group was closed on April 29, with trademark licensing and framework agreements fully effective. From now on, China Resources Beer has formally completed the acquisition of Heineken's seven companies in China, and Heineken China's performance will be consolidated into China Resources Beer's financial results. Rumors began in March last year, and now the project has officially landed, with every employee of China Resources Snow likely anticipating this moment.
澄韵Coca-Cola Makes Major Investment in Dairy: Launching 'Tech Milk' - Ultrafiltered Milk
This will be a significant long-term investment for Coca-Cola. To adapt to changing societal and consumer demands, the 133-year-old beverage giant is undergoing a century-defining transformation, particularly in response to health-conscious consumers turning away from carbonated drinks. It is actively expanding into new categories and launching new brands to position itself as a diversified total beverage company. Beyond entering healthier organic tea, coconut water, and premium juice markets, this century-old beverage company is also venturing into the dairy industry, targeting the value-added dairy beverage market with its fairlife ultrafiltered milk brand, aiming to make this 'tech milk' its next billion-dollar brand.
澄韵Red Bull | Huabin Sues Tiansi, Is This Why Anaji Has Not Launched?
On April 16, the Beijing Court Trial Information Network published a civil ruling on a contract dispute involving Red Bull Vitamin Beverage Co., Ltd. The disclosure reveals new developments in the Red Bull case, with Huabin Group's Red Bull company suing Thailand's Tiansi for infringement and seeking exclusive production and sales rights until 2045.
澄韵Top 10 Events in the FMCG Industry in the First Half of 2018
As 2018 reaches its midpoint, the FMCG industry has witnessed significant events. This article reviews the top ten industry events of the half-year, including the first collective price increase in the beer industry in a decade, Alibaba's acquisition of RT-Mart, price hikes by Master Kong and Uni-President, Tencent's strategic partnerships with Carrefour and Better Life, and more.
澄韵What Should Distributors Pay Attention to When Starting a B2B Company?
Recently, the ninth B-end e-commerce inspection class of New Distribution visited three representative B2B platforms in Changsha, Guangzhou, and Dongguan: Changsha Xingaoqiao, Guangzhou No.1 Life, and Dongguan Caihua Trading. Through three days of visits and exchanges, the participants gained valuable insights. New Distribution records the highlights of these platforms and the founders' unique perspectives, offering reference and inspiration for distributors, brand owners, and pioneers in the FMCG industry.
澄韵With a 306-Year History and 2017 Sales of 109.7 Billion Yuan, How Did This Japanese Distributor Do It?
This article explores the 306-year history and success of Kokubu Group, a Japanese food marketing company, highlighting its role as a distributor, manufacturer, and retailer, and its strategies for long-term growth.
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