The "hard discount" supermarket sector in China

In this episode of Round Table, Niu Honglin, Steve, and Yangyang discuss the rise of hard discount supermarkets in China, a retail model characterized by offering consistently lower prices than average supermarkets through extreme cost control and efficiency. They explore the origins of this concept, its relatively new presence in China compared to other countries like Germany and Japan, and its potential for growth. The panel examines key strategies employed by these supermarkets, such as limiting product variety, streamlining supply chains, and developing private label brands. They also address the challenges to the sustainability of this model, including thin profit margins and the potential impact of increased competition, as well as the importance of maintaining product quality and consumer rights.