Who are the consumers? In what context? And what needs are they trying to fulfill? These questions lie at the heart of product development. Flavor Sum's research reveals that people often choose specific categories and flavors at different times of the day.
By studying consumption preferences across daily scenarios, we can uncover lifestyle patterns and market gaps. To bring these insights to life, we've partnered with Innova Market Insights to unveil the "Daily Consumption Map". This initiative connects key trends to specific category and flavor combinations, rooted in real consumer needs, to highlight growth and innovation opportunities.
How does Freshippo consistently develop cross-category hits? The key is turning consumer data into actionable insights. By analyzing purchase combinations, Freshippo uncovers usage scenarios and adapts its products accordingly. For instance, Xiaogan fermented rice was reformulated to align with DIY dessert trends after data revealed it was paired more with dessert ingredients than cooking materials. This approach shows the power of channel-driven insights for product development. What can other brands learn from Freshippo's model of combining data analysis with scenario-based innovation?
If there's one word to describe the role of AI in the food and beverage industry, it's "efficiency."
While major corporations like Coca-Cola and Nestlé have integrated AI into their operations, many small and medium-sized enterprises still find digital transformation to be a costly and time-intensive challenge.
Key questions remain:
· How effective are AI applications in food innovation?
· What resources are needed to build an AI-powered model?
· How can AI better "understand" consumers?
In the "Product is King" retail era, trends equal opportunities. Brands face challenges across the entire chain, from trend identification and industry insights to demand validation, and aim to drive decisions with data for sustained business growth.
Which sectors should we focus on in 2025? How can we leverage real-time tracking of multi-channel market dynamics, product trends, and consumer demands to precisely break through in new product development and achieve targeted content marketing?
· WHY: Why are subtle changes in trends the core opportunity for business growth?
· HOW: How can we quickly identify high-potential trends and scientifically validate their commercial feasibility?
· WHAT: How can TrendCloud help clients innovate efficiently and market precisely?
In the FBIF Product Manager Forum survey, over 50% of respondents identified "understanding consumers' true needs" and "finding innovation breakthroughs" as key challenges.
Have you considered: Are functional products the only way to supplement nutrition? Is lowering prices the only way to deliver value-for-money? Could different designs for the same demand spark creative ideas?
Join this Product Development Workshop to explore scenarios, brainstorm in groups, and apply innovative thinking tools. Discover the right paths, unleash creativity, and open new possibilities for future products!
(Pre-registration required. Secure your spot early!)
The FMCG market is being reshaped by emerging brands, and long-standing bestsellers are no longer the only way to break through. In just five years, GUOZI CO. has replaced reliance on flagship products with frequent innovation. By capturing consumer trends and iterating rapidly, it has created several short-term hit products, even surpassing traditional giants. In 2024's first half, its sugar-free tea series saw a market share increase of 851.07%, reaching third place in a competitive market. The brand's focus on young consumers and continuous innovation shows that creating multiple short-term hits may be more impactful than relying on a single bestseller.
GUOZI CO. uses a unique "Chinese tea + Chinese flower" formula to address the bitterness of traditional tea while adding emotional value. Its original square bottle design challenges traditional tea stereotypes, and upgrades to production lines drive industry innovation. Focusing on convenience store consumption, high-recognition packaging boosts sales efficiency. Through full-chain innovation, the brand connects with young consumers, positioning beverages as a lifestyle choice.
With an understated orange logo and attention to detail, GUOZI CO. has made a lasting impression. How does this brand maintain its innovation in the competitive beverage sector? From unique bottle designs to optimized supply chains, its practices provide valuable insights for the industry. Let's explore its innovative journey.
Lemon Right earned success in the competitive tea market with its unique lemon tea, but this was a result of overcoming numerous challenges at each stage—from sourcing to market promotion. Key lessons from their journey include:
· Securing reliable, high-quality lemon and tea suppliers.
· Refining flavor through trial and adjustment.
· Overcoming production challenges for consistency.
· Breaking traditional perceptions to build brand trust.
· Creating a differentiation strategy to stand out in a crowded market.
Lemon Right's story provides valuable lessons on overcoming adversity and launching a successful product.
As Tmall's food and beverage growth slows in 2024, fresh beverages defy the trend with 50%+ growth, driven by HPP (High Pressure Processing) technology. RUGUO leverages HPP to overcome niche limitations, with its HPP Rose Lychee Juice leading the fruit-flower fusion trend and showcasing the commercial power of tech-driven agricultural innovation.
For fresh juice, regional origins are both an advantage and a constraint. How can HPP expand niche flavors to a broader market? How can brands balance uniqueness with standardization in product development? Beyond fruits, what new possibilities can HPP unlock in vegetables, flowers, and beyond?
In 2024, while the overall growth of China's dairy industry slowed down, the low-temperature yogurt category showed a strong growth trend. In this highly competitive sector, Junlebao's "Jianchun" series has bucked the trend and become a focus of the industry. Junlebao's success can be attributed to its deep focus on functional innovation: Jianchun's core selling points are "0 sucrose and low GI," and its functionality has been validated through clinical research; Yuexianhuo, on the other hand, has leveraged innovative instant pasteurization technology to preserve the fresh milk taste and nutritional value while meeting consumer demand for high-quality dairy products, consistently topping the low-temperature dairy sales chart. Faced with consumers' increasingly upgraded health demands, how can Junlebao continue to break through with functional research? How can functional innovation drive the upgrading of the dairy industry? What possibilities lie ahead for functional dairy products in the future?
In 1963, House Foods transformed curry by creating a Japanese-style sweet version with apples and honey, appealing to children and milder taste preferences. Over 60 years, they have continuously innovated curry flavors by exploring spice combinations and perfecting recipes.
To replicate French-style curry, they refined every detail, from spice selection to stirring techniques, resulting in the Curry Marché, a bestseller for over 40 years. Responding to rising home-cooking trends, House Foods launched the spice-driven X-Blend Curry in August 2023, with sweet-spicy and medium-spicy variants selling over 5 million units in five months.
This topic highlights how House Foods' dedication to quality and innovation drives iconic products, builds trust, and secures market leadership.
As consumer demand for health-conscious, high-quality products grows, the food and beverage industry faces both rapid transformation and fierce competition. In China, the sugar-free tea market surged 110% in 2023 (Nielsen), yet brands struggle with price wars and homogeneity. Meanwhile, global expansion is accelerating, but breaking into mainstream overseas markets remains a challenge.
Leading brands have successfully navigated these shifts through innovation: Calbee revived its potato sticks with a unique texture, achieving a V-shaped sales rebound; Kirin Nama-cha sold 100M+ units in seven weeks via brand revitalization; Meiji turned bitter chocolate into a hit by leveraging the "cocoa polyphenol" concept; Fruit Ripe disrupted the market by integrating into convenience store channels……
This dialogue gathers global industry leaders to explore:
· Product innovation: How to create products that truly resonate with consumers?
· Brand longevity: How to build enduring competitive advantages?
· Global expansion: How to move beyond exports and establish a lasting presence?
By examining case studies and industry trends, this discussion will uncover strategies for sustained growth in an evolving market.