NEW DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH TOPIC
How can supply chains and digital systems improve real operations?
Research on B2B, supply-chain efficiency, operating data, and digital transformation across China’s FMCG market.
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713 articles · Page 3 of 30
Competing for Front Warehouses: Seizing the 'Cyber Corner Store' for Young People
The corner store, a shared memory for those born in the 1980s and 1990s, once fulfilled fragmented local and immediate consumption needs. As internet retail evolves, these stores are being replaced by front warehouses, which are now serving urban youth with rapid delivery, a shift driven by the rise of instant retail.
詹方歌Xuantong's Debut: The Beginning of the Evolution from 'Tool Revolution' to 'Revolutionary Tool'
The invention and use of tools is one of the most important advances in human history, marking our shift from relying on nature to actively transforming it. However, humans often make mistakes in understanding and applying new tools, as seen with gunpowder and early automobiles. On July 18, 2024, Xuanwu Cloud (02392.HK) announced the strategic upgrade of its 'Xunxun' brand to 'Xuantong', reflecting a shift from 'tool revolution' to 'revolutionary tool' in China's FMCG digital transformation.
陈思廷Distributors Launching B2B Supply Chain Platforms: Don't Rush, Don't Overdo It!
As a senior editor at New Distribution, I've observed a growing trend of distributors pivoting toward local B2B supply chain platforms as a new growth avenue. While this is promising, many face practical challenges. This article shares insights on avoiding common pitfalls, emphasizing the importance of real transactions over mere registrations, continuous optimization, and a steady, patient approach to building a sustainable local channel moat.
袁来Dialogue with Biut's Meng Fanzhong: Taking Over Carrefour, the 7 Billion Regional Supermarket King, and Standard-Bearer of Supply Chain Reform
“Taking over Carrefour, some said we were foolish, wanting to see if we could really do it. But after we moved in, we achieved twice the sales with only half the original space,” said Meng Fanzhong, founder of Biut. In 2023, Carrefour closed stores across Northeast China, and Biut moved into those locations, quickly generating high-performance media reports, making this regional supermarket brand known to more people. Starting from Hegang, a small northeastern city with a population of just over 800,000, Biut established its headquarters in Harbin in 2017, moved to Shenyang in 2021, and is set to exceed 7 billion yuan in sales in 2024. After more than two decades of development, Biut has grown into the largest supermarket chain in Northeast China.
任文青AndyDingdong Maicai's Profitability Still Questioned, but Traditional Retailers Have Already Embraced Front Warehouses
Two years ago, with the decline of Miss Fresh, there was a view in the retail industry that the 'front warehouse model cannot be profitable.' Miss Fresh has collapsed, and Dingdong Maicai continued to lose money from 2019 to 2022. However, Dingdong Maicai achieved profitability in 2023 and the first quarter of this year. Despite this, Dingdong Maicai is still questioned, and its US stock performance declined after the Q1 earnings report, as the industry doubts its sustained profitability.
周群Rising in a Fourth-Tier City: A 30-Year Distributor's Business Playbook Combining Centralized Warehousing and B2B
Zhang Xiaoli began her distribution career in 1995. Since 2017, she has boldly embraced digital transformation, first implementing centralized warehousing and distribution, then expanding products and channels, and eventually transitioning to a B2B platform. Now, with nearly three decades of experience, she serves as the Executive President of Hebei Chengde Deyun Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (Chengde Deyun). Through this transformation, she and her company have achieved digitalization and scale in their operations.
冯瑶Zhao Bo of New Distribution: The Logic and Direction of Channel Transformation in the FMCG Industry
This article is a foreword written by Zhao Bo, founder of New Distribution, for the book "The Password to Channel Construction: Digital Development and Practice of Consumer Goods Channels." It analyzes the evolution of China's retail and distribution channels, the rise and limitations of deep distribution, and the necessity of digital transformation in the face of changing market dynamics.
赵波Returning to the FMCG Track, Former Alibaba Executive Lin Xiaohai Takes Over as CEO of Shanghai Jahwa
Shanghai Jahwa United Co., Ltd. recently announced that Pan Qiusheng resigned as chairman and CEO for personal reasons, and Lin Xiaohai was appointed as CEO and general manager, effective June 1, 2024. The century-old company faces declining revenue and increased competition, and Lin's appointment is expected to accelerate its digital transformation.
New DistributionIs Warehousing and Distribution the Lifeline of Distributors, or Will It Be Their Downfall?
At the 2018 'Opening Class', when I mentioned that warehousing and distribution functions would be separated from distributors and outsourced to third parties, a distributor in the audience asked a soul-searching question: Without warehousing and distribution, is a distributor still a distributor? Before that, warehousing and distribution were indeed the lifeline of distributors. In 2012, Midea Group underwent digital transformation, with its subsidiary Annto Logistics implementing 'One Inventory' and integrated delivery and installation. Not only did distributors not touch the goods, but retailers also did not. 'One Inventory' greatly reduced the number of loading and unloading times from factory to user, from 6 times to 2-3 times.
刘春雄Two Growth Paths for FMCG Distributors: Product and Supply-Chain Innovation
In a saturated market, distributors can build new growth by turning logistics into a professional supply-chain business and by selecting or developing innovative products in the right categories.
New DistributionOmnichannel New Retail: The Source of Digital Transformation, The Anchor of New Business Dynamics
From the current market landscape, instant retail is no longer just a sales channel but an integrated business model combining online and offline marketing, sales, supply chain, and data. Deep engagement in instant retail is essentially developing omnichannel retail with instant retail as the anchor. In the industry, there's a joke that the head of instant retail is like a mini-CEO, needing to judge changes in supply chain, market, and sales from an investment perspective, focusing not only on online and offline coverage but also on market analysis based on sales penetration. On March 14-16, at the 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference, Chen Lihao, Executive Vice President of Omnichannel New Retail at Shanghai Heyin Network Technology Co., Ltd., shared insights on this topic.
陈力浩Data-Driven Empowerment: Digital Transformation from a Collaborative Perspective
Growth is an unavoidable topic for companies and distributors seeking development, and discussions have intensified in recent years. From March 14 to 16, the 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference, themed 'Supply Chain Revolution,' was held in Chengdu. During the conference, over 100 speakers and more than 2,000 manufacturer representatives and FMCG professionals from across the country explored how distributors and brands can pursue growth in the current environment. Among them, Mr. Li Zheng, Vice President of Zhoupu Data, delivered a keynote speech titled 'Data-Driven Empowerment: Digital Transformation from a Collaborative Perspective' at the main forum, sparking lively discussions among manufacturers and distributors.
李正Industry Exclusive | White Paper on Cost Reduction and Efficiency Enhancement in Warehouse and Distribution Logistics for Chinese FMCG Distributors
Distributors with business scale exceeding 50 million yuan often fail to achieve sustained growth due to management issues, with warehouse and distribution management being the most critical aspect after core business operations. Although warehouse and distribution logistics account for the highest proportion of operating costs for distributors, they spend minimal time optimizing and refining it. In the future, the number of distributors in a city will decrease while their scale will increase, making multi-SKU and multi-category management essential, with warehouse and distribution efficiency as a key indicator of operational performance. Based on this, New Distribution, in collaboration with BEST Supply Chain, has launched the industry's first white paper on cost reduction and efficiency enhancement in warehouse and distribution logistics for FMCG distributors, covering approximately 300 small, medium, and large distributors nationwide.
袁来Fewer Handoffs, Lower Costs: How Supply-Chain Innovation Supports Growth
In a mature FMCG market, unified inventory and shorter fulfillment chains can reduce logistics cost, improve distributor capability, and create new growth for both brands and channel partners.
New DistributionMajor Release | 2023-2024 China FMCG Distributor Warehouse and Distribution Logistics Survey Report
From March 14-16, 2024, the 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference, the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference, and the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference were grandly held in Chengdu. At the 2nd Distributor Conference, Li Wenjun, partner of New Distribution Research and Consulting, provided an in-depth interpretation of the "2023 China FMCG Distributor Warehouse and Distribution Logistics Survey Report." This report, which took three months to compile, is a joint industry-exclusive study by New Distribution and Best Supply Chain, and serves as the essence of the "2023 China FMCG Distributor Warehouse and Distribution Logistics Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement White Paper."
New DistributionZhao Bo of New Distribution: Why a Supply Chain Revolution Is Inevitable in China's Current Market Environment
Zhao Bo, founder of New Distribution, explains why a supply chain revolution is inevitable in China's current market environment, driven by the shift from a high-growth to a mature market, changing consumer behavior, and the need for new distribution capabilities.
赵波6 Days to Go! Mondelez, Hsu Fu Chi, China Resources Snow, Yili, Jiangxiaobai, Feihe, Fulinmen, Tsingtao Beer, C&S, Kimberly-Clark, Haoxiangni and More Gather in Chengdu for a Grand Event!
The annual China FMCG Innovation Conference, along with the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference and the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference, is now 6 days away. From March 14-16, 2024, the 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference and the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference & the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference, hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Anneng Zhilian and Yonyou Digitalization, will be grandly held in Chengdu. The 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference is hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Zhoupu Data; the 2024 Supply Chain Digitalization Innovation Summit is hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Yonyou Group.
New Distribution7 Days to Go! Mondelez, Hsu Fu Chi, China Resources Snow, Yili, Jiangxiaobai, Feihe, Fulinmen, Tsingtao Beer, C&S, Kimberly-Clark, Haoxiangni and More Gather in Chengdu for a Grand Event!
The 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference, along with the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference and the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference, will be held in Chengdu from March 14-16, 2024. With the theme 'Supply Chain Revolution', the event will feature over 80 industry experts, release three major reports, and bring together leading FMCG brands and distributors to explore new trends and opportunities.
New DistributionCountdown: 10 Days! Mondelez, Hsu Fu Chi, China Resources Snow, Yili, Jiangxiaobai, Feihe, Fulinmen, Tsingtao, C&S, Kimberly-Clark, Haoxiangni and More Gather in Chengdu for a Grand Event!
The annual China FMCG Innovation Conference, along with the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference and the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference, enters its 10-day countdown. From March 14-16, 2024, the 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference and the 2nd China FMCG Hard Discount Conference & the 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference, hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Anneng Zhilian and Yonyou Digitalization, will be grandly held in Chengdu. The 2nd China FMCG Distributor Conference is hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Zhoupu Data; the 2024 Supply Chain Digital Intelligence Innovation Summit is hosted by New Distribution and co-hosted by Yonyou Group.
New DistributionZhao Bo of New Distribution: Why Is the FMCG Industry Undergoing a Profound Supply Chain Revolution?
The FMCG industry is undergoing a profound supply chain revolution driven by changing consumer behavior, fragmented channels, and the rise of new retail formats. This article analyzes the social background, the shift from competition to survival, and provides strategic recommendations for brands, distributors, and retailers to adapt and thrive.
赵波23 People, 100 Million in Sales! How to Successfully Transform from 0 to 1 in B2B within 3 Years?
The market is changing, and distributors must adapt. Facing current difficulties and challenges, if you remain stubborn and refuse to adapt to the times and market changes, it won't be your competitors that defeat you, but your own conservatism. Recently, regarding the topic '2024 will be the last window for traditional distributors to transform to B2B,' we invited Luo Kai, General Manager of Luoyang Hecai Trading Co., Ltd., to the Li Feng New Distribution live stream to discuss the path of traditional distributors transforming to B2B. First, let's briefly introduce Luoyang Hecai Trading. Founded in 2006...
李锋、罗凯Embracing the Supply Chain Revolution: Only with the Strength of a Champion Can You Afford Not to Compete
In recent years, everyone has faced immense pressure and anxiety, driven not by hard work or growth but by a sense of losing control. To escape this, businesses must find certainty again, and the supply chain revolution offers a path forward for both brands and distributors to build the capabilities needed to seize opportunities and thrive.
陈思廷A Decade of Dramatic Change! FMCG Companies Are Fighting a Hard Battle with Supply Chain as Their Lever!
China's business environment is undergoing unprecedented changes, with a 'supply chain revolution' initiated by the retail sector unfolding. Consumer habits are visibly shifting, with the popularity of 'pingti' (affordable alternatives) implying a demand for both quality and low prices. Undoubtedly, supply chain competitiveness is becoming increasingly irreplaceable, and major companies are leveraging supply chains to fight a hard battle. Economist Martin Christopher said, 'The real competition is not between companies, but between supply chains.' Therefore, a revolution based on supply chains is essential to promote the synergy of supply, industrial, and value chains, leading the industry through long cycles and achieving high-quality development! The 9th China FMCG Innovation Conference is the first to champion this cause, themed 'Supply Chain Revolution', sounding the clarion call to the industry!
New DistributionSnack Hard Discount Fires the First Shot of the Supply Chain Revolution—When Will the Second Shot Be Fired?
Behind hard discount is a supply chain revolution. Snack hard discount has fired the first shot, and hard discount and private labels will penetrate from snack categories to other vertical and comprehensive categories. The supply chain revolution, by re-channeling distribution, will redraw the spheres of influence among factories, brands, distributors, and retailers, particularly across price bands.
刘春雄