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 a leading research agency 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.

Social media is a vast data resource, but extracting value is a challenge. Enter AI as an "all-in-one research assistant". Campbell Soup Company exemplifies this by using AI to track trends and consumer preferences in real-time. AI tools help their R&D teams generate insights and cut product development cycles to just four months.
For instance, AI flagged rising interest in air-fried potatoes, prompting Campbell to launch air-fried Kettle chips. Similarly, it identified a demand for bold, international spice flavors, inspiring spicy steak potato soup.
AI is transforming the industry through efficiency. However, businesses must address key questions:

· How effective are AI applications in food innovation?

· What resources are needed to build an AI-powered model?

· How can AI better "understand" consumers?

Chi Forest's Genki Wellness Water, born from an idea contest, proves that bold concepts, when executed well, can lead to massive success. This product exemplifies how imagination complements data in product innovation.
Key Takeaways:

· Unexpected Wins: From inspiration to a tangible product, Genki Water shows how serendipitous ideas resonate with consumers.

· Beyond Data: Emotional thinking can infuse products with unique appeal, balancing analytics with creativity.

· Fostering Innovation: An open corporate culture, like Chi Forest's, nurtures groundbreaking ideas.

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?

How would you design a fruit-flavored alcoholic drink? Increase juice content or enhance visuals? Asahi Beer went further. Their lemon-flavored drink uses a full-open lid design, debuting in the 2021 Asahi Super Dry Extreme Foam Can, to create a stunning effect: lemon slices rising in the can, releasing a vibrant aroma of fresh lemons. After drinking, consumers can chew the slices for an authentic, refreshing finish.


Key Questions:

· How did the idea for adding fresh lemon slices emerge?

· What challenges came with developing the rising slices effect?

· How was market hesitation about physical objects in the can addressed?

· What else experience can be shared with other product managers?

In 2020, Bibigo dumplings generated 670 billion won globally, with 420 billion won from the U.S. and 160 billion won from China. Their success lies in differentiation—blending authentic flavors and innovative concepts to meet diverse market demands.
Bibigo excelled in balancing tradition and modernity: standing out in China with its 1,800-year dumpling heritage while introducing dumplings to many first-time U.S. consumers. By studying Bibigo's strategies, product managers can learn how to innovate within traditional categories and adapt to diverse cultural tastes for global impact.

Climate change threatens key crops like cocoa and coffee, but it's also driving innovation. Voyage Foods uses reverse molecular engineering to recreate flavors without original ingredients, launching products like cocoa-free chocolate and peanut-free peanut butter. Within only 3 years, they've earned nearly $100 million in funding and scaled to Walmart shelves and school cafeterias nationwide.
By analyzing chemical compositions, this technology opens doors to reimagining food and addressing supply challenges. But how will it reshape consumer perceptions and unlock untapped market potential?

Why do some yogurt brands always catch your eye, even when they taste similar? Thoughtful design.
Classy·Kiss exemplifies this with tailored innovations: "One Hour After Meals" highlights probiotics' prime timing, while "Baby’s Second Meal" caters to infants. Their packaging feels like friendly advice, simplifying choices and building trust.
When ingredients and processes homogenize, branding and user experience become key differentiators. Smart designs and small touches move consumers, transforming considerate ideas into strong sales drivers.

Did you know a candy company's website could double as a "building block" creativity contest? Amos Sweets blends fun and functionality with buildable gummy blocks, music-conducting lollipops, and peelable fruit gummies. In 2008, founder Ma Enduo knocked on Walmart's headquarters door with a pack of Amos gummies. Sixteen years later, he stood on the stage of the Global Candy Hall of Fame.
Amos goes beyond playful designs, offering niche products like nutritional gummies (Biobor) and tech-infused premium mints (Blink). Their "go global first" strategy positioned them in top markets like the U.S. and Japan, setting them apart as a Chinese brand with sharp insights and differentiation.
Amos's success raises questions: How do they continuously reinvent candy, and how do technology and design enhance their appeal?

PepsiCo recently launched a new rice cake product, aiming to expand its presence in the snack market. For large companies like Pepsi, launching new products comes with both advantages and unique challenges. This topic explores the hurdles and strategies of product innovation within a major corporation, using Pepsi rice cakes as a case study to offer insights for product managers:

· Overcoming organizational challenges and slow decision-making.

· Effective cross-department collaboration across R&D, marketing, and supply chains.

· Leveraging brand influence and distribution networks for product promotion.

· Risk control and feedback mechanisms for quick post-launch iterations.

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.

Royal Xiao Hu has established itself in the food industry by offering high-quality products at affordable prices, operating with a 40% margin while competitors often require 100%. Their product development follows a "continuous iteration, optimization, and repurchase" model.
From the beginning, they focused on returning products to their essence, like using pure meat for sausages and replacing vegetable oil with authentic pork lard. After establishing market presence, they iterated to build trust and increase repurchase rates. Key strategies include SKU management and product quality enhancement.
But how do they balance high quality with low price? How does the "Xiaomi Blockbuster Methodology" apply in the food and beverage industry?

If brands had personalities, Luckin Coffee would be a sociable "E-person". In the first half of 2024, Luckin collaborated 23 times, with net income reaching 14.681 billion yuan, a 38% year-on-year increase. They've developed two successful paths for product launches:

1. Led by the marketing department, leveraging external demand to swap brand resources and add value to new products, such as the “Apple C Americano” with Pingu the Penguin and the “Little Butter Latte” with Bear Butter.

2. Led by the product department, where technical innovation guides partnerships to create blockbuster products, like the "Baijiu Latte."


This dual-path model has made Luckin a market leader, showing brands how to quickly ascend by leveraging collaborations. But how can partnerships integrate with product strength to ensure sustainable growth? How should teams collaborate to efficiently execute partnership projects? Luckin’s success offers new insights into these critical questions.

Emerging brands often face challenges in selecting the best channels, managing promotion costs, and navigating complex regional markets. In the competitive "Tea Battle", Ripe Fruit stood out with its low-key, pragmatic approach, growing from zero to a billion-dollar brand in just two years. By 2024, it ranked in the top five sugar-free tea brands.

The brand focused on convenience stores, strategically placing products in key locations like small shops, hospitals, and rail stations to maximize reach with limited resources. Its sales strategy prioritized cost-effective shelf placement over heavy advertising, aligning with the brand's "born strong" philosophy.

Key issues to explore:

· How does "Fruits Ripened" ensure efficient channel deployment with limited resources?

· How does it quickly adapt to young consumers' changing preferences?

· Why focus on convenience stores, and how will it expand its multi-channel approach?

In the fast-changing food and beverage market, uncertainty is constant, and consumer preferences change rapidly. Many companies wish to "test the waters" before launch to ensure more stable market performance.
For the first time at FBIF 2025, we're bringing product management simulation workshops to the forum! In collaboration with a leading R&D agency, we'll simulate developing future innovative products, using 2025 consumer trends as the backdrop. Participants will experience the full product lifecycle—from R&D to production and marketing—facing real-world decision-making challenges and exploring how products grow in the market. This is a hands-on exploration of future consumer trends and product management!