Haidilao's Yang Lijuan takes charge of the Red Pomegranate Plan; Ruoyuchen acquires premium skincare brand Erno Laszlo for 300 million yuan; Jasmine Milk White launches its first coffee product series | Consumer Research Weekly

HaidilaoYang Lijuan takes charge of the Red Pomegranate Plan

On April 15,Te Hai InternationalAn announcement was made stating that Yang Lijuan has resigned as executive director and CEO of the company and will join Haidilao International Holdings Limited to oversee the implementation of the 'Red Pomegranate Plan'. As a manager who grew from the front line within the Haidilao system, Yang Lijuan has long participated in the operational management and key transformation initiatives of Haidilao. Public information shows that she was involved in Haidilao's expansion outside Sichuan and into Xi'an during its early stages, and in 2021, she led the 'Woodpecker Plan'. This change in position has also drawn market attention to the pace of Haidilao’s subsequent progress on the 'Red Pomegranate Plan'. Public data indicates that Haidilao launched the 'Red Pomegranate Plan' in August 2024, and by the end of 2025 had introduced 20 restaurant brands with a total of 207 outlets. The announcement that Yang Lijuan will be overseeing the 'Red Pomegranate Plan' further demonstrates Haidilao’s focus on building a diversified ecosystem.

Ruo YuchenAcquisition of premium skincare brand Erno Laszlo for 300 million yuan

Guangzhou Ruiniu Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Ruiniu'), a Chinese e-commerce operator, announced the acquisition of premium dermatological skincare brand Erno Laszlo for 299 million yuan. The seller is CITIC Capital. Upon completion of the acquisition, Ruiniu will own 100% of the brand. The company stated that through this acquisition, it can further expand its product categories, optimize its brand portfolio, reduce reliance on a single core brand, and diversify operational risks. This acquisition aims to seize the structural growth opportunities in the global premium skincare market, adopting an 'international brand + global operation' model to accelerate product iteration and market responsiveness, fully unleashing growth potential. Erno Laszlo was founded in 1927 by Hungarian dermatologist Dr. Erno Laszlo. The founder pioneered the concept of pH-balanced skincare, introduced the idea of 'double cleansing' and time-zone-specific care methods, integrating professional-grade beauty concepts into home skincare products. Its star products include the Ice Mask and the Essential Eye Mask.

Mini Balabala holds summer new product launch event

Recently, Mini Balabala held its summer new product launch event titled 'The Answers Grow in Nature,' during which it unveiled the 'Learning from Nature: White Paper on Children's Summer Comfort Sensation,' jointly developed with Jiangnan University, and showcased its summer new product, the 'Plant Muscle Moisture-Wicking Shirt.' Mini Balabala modified cotton fibers using patented technology to enhance their moisture release capabilities and increased fabric moisture absorption through an 81.5% cotton + 18.5% lyocell blend ratio while ensuring the fabric feels softer and more skin-friendly. Inspired by plant stomata in nature, Mini Balabala designed precise biomimetic leaf-vein micro-pores on the fabric. These tiny 'pores' help the fabric quickly absorb, spread, and evaporate sweat, giving the 'Plant Muscle Moisture-Wicking Shirt' breathability akin to plants, transferring sweat from the skin surface to the outer layer of the fabric and rapidly dispersing it to achieve instant dryness from the inside out. Additionally, this new product takes into account the sensitive skin traits of many children, using lyocell fiber, a purely natural wood-based eco-friendly fiber certified by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology, and naturally possessing antibacterial properties to effectively reduce bacteria-induced irritation on sensitive skin.

Fast Retailing reports 14.8% year-on-year revenue growth in first half of fiscal year

On April 10, Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, announced its interim financial report for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026. Both revenue and profit surged significantly, setting a historic high: total revenue grew 14.8% year-on-year to 2.0552 trillion yen (approximately USD 8.79 billion), and operating profit increased by 28.3% year-on-year to 386.9 billion yen (approximately USD 1.65 billion). The mainland China market recorded revenue growth, with operating profit showing double-digit growth. Based on the current sales environment, the group raised its performance forecast for the second half of the year: full-year revenue is expected to reach 3.9 trillion yen, with an operating profit of 700 billion yen. The operational reforms in the mainland China market will proceed steadily, and revenue and profit are expected to grow in the second half of the year, achieving the target of annual revenue growth and double-digit profit growth for the full year.

DESCENTE's 'Energy Blooming Now' Spring Floral Pop-Up Theme Space lands in Beijing

On April 10, DESCENTE presented the 'Energy Blooming Now' spring floral pop-up theme space at its global flagship store 'City of the Future,' drawing inspiration from the iconic 'flower bud' design of the new BODY FLEX series products. Integrating interactive experience installations, the vibrant imagery of spring flowers merges seamlessly with professional sports scenarios, vividly portraying the complete process of energy accumulation in cycles and blooming in the future. On April 10, DESCENTE brand friend Chun Ning Zhang and swimming world champion Shiwen Ye attended the event, interpreting the diverse postures of women accumulating strength and growing freely in sports, encouraging every action enthusiast to find rhythm in daily training and realize self-blossoming through continuous accumulation. Centered around diverse female training scenarios, DESCENTE simultaneously unveiled the BODY FLEX women's comprehensive training product series. Through integrated optimization of silhouette structure, fabric technology, and craftsmanship innovation, the series achieves a balance between athletic performance and wearing comfort.

Three SquirrelsOver 30 community stores have been opened

Recently, Zhang Liaoyuan, founder and CEO of Three Squirrels, stated at an event, 'I've been very busy over the past year, opening more than 30 Three Squirrels community stores, and so far we have iterated through four versions.' Starting from June 2025, Three Squirrels, guided by the concept of an 'affordable community supermarket,' has opened over 30 stores in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. These stores cater to the full-scenario needs of five daily meals for families, offering a new combination of categories including 'freshly made products, fresh produce, and standard items,' and have all received positive feedback. Zhang Liaoyuan emphasized that the key to retail in the next decade lies in making 'quality goods affordable' scalable and sustainable. For retailers, he proposed three specific implementation paths: redefining product strength, reimagining scenario power, and reconstructing industry value. In terms of the nuts and dried fruits sector, this means upgrading its niche value by focusing on precise nutrition, full-domain penetration, fresh nuts, and regional characteristics, enabling healthier, fresher, and more diverse nut and dried fruit products to enter a larger growth track.

OrdosApparel segment revenue exceeds 4 billion yuan in 2025

On the evening of April 13, Erdos released its 2025 annual report. During the reporting period, the company's operating revenue was 25.741 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year decrease of 9.37%. Despite revenue pressure, Erdos achieved a counter-cyclical increase in profitability, with annual net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 2.363 billion yuan, an increase of 27.93% year-on-year, compared to 1.85 billion yuan in the previous year. Additionally, the net cash flow generated from operating activities was 4.518 billion yuan, remaining roughly stable compared to the same period last year. By business segment, revenue from the apparel sector increased by 1.61% year-on-year to 4.082 billion yuan, demonstrating strong resilience against cyclical fluctuations, while revenue from the electric metallurgy sector decreased by 11.58% to 21.225 billion yuan.

HOKA empowers runners to conquer the peak of UTMB Moganshan

Recently, as the chief partner of the UTMB® World Series, HOKA gathered numerous members of its elite trail running team to compete on the bamboo seas and ancient trails of Moganshan, showcasing their unrestrained prowess on the racecourse. At the same time, HOKA deeply integrated into the fabric of the event, providing professional guidance and support to runners across multiple dimensions, including specialized gear, elite runner communities, racecourse provisions, and wilderness co-creation. This edition of the UTMB® Moganshan Trail Race also saw participation and excellent results from several HOKA international elite athletes. HOKA elite athlete Yuichi Miura wore the latest iteration of the SPEEDGOAT series—SPEEDGOAT 7—empowering him to race across all terrains with 'antelope-like' agility. During the SPEEDGOAT 7 product sharing session before the race, HOKA elite athlete Guangfu Meng shared his firsthand experience using SPEEDGOAT 7 in real mountain environments, helping runners better understand its outstanding performance. HOKA remains committed to innovating high-performance equipment, ensuring that every individual venturing into the wilderness—from elite competitors to everyday runners—can fearlessly navigate challenging paths and transform rugged terrain into a smooth journey that awakens their true 'antelope spirit.'

Adidas CLIMACOOL Future Art Gallery debuts at Shanghai Pudong Art Museum

Recently, Adidas presented the 'CLIMACOOL Future Art Gallery' at the Shanghai Pudong Art Museum. Centered around the core concept of 'Born to Breathe, Fully Breathable,' the exhibition systematically showcased the CLIMACOOL breathable technology platform's advancements in athletic performance. This marked the first comprehensive presentation of the CLIMACOOL breathable technology platform in Shanghai, highlighting continuous evolution in athletic performance, product innovation, and future aesthetics, creating a visual feast blending sports, technology, and cultural expression, becoming one of the most dynamic visual highlights along the Huangpu River. The global innovation launch unveiled the CLIMACOOL innovative product matrix for the first time, signifying the entry of the CLIMACOOL breathable technology platform into a new development phase. The global innovation launch took place at the Shanghai Pudong Art Museum in exhibition format. Specifically, the second floor 'Breathable Technology Innovation Exhibition Hall' started with the competitive needs of elite athletes and gradually extended to lifestyle and aesthetic expressions, presenting applications such as pre-cooling jackets and vests used in F1 scenarios, as well as equipment series derived from the 'Nardò Chasing 100' project. On the third floor, the 'Breathable Experimentation Field - Full Marathon Relay Challenge' transformed the breathable technology of CLIMACOOL from display to an actual sports experience.

OnAng RunLaunch of the On Squad Race, with the first global leg starting in Beijing

On Holding launched the On Squad Race, the first global series event kicking off in Beijing and Guangzhou, China, with Beijing as the first stop worldwide. The On Squad Race features a circular track for four-person relay teams. Covering twenty cities across five continents, this event links up approximately 1,200 running communities globally. City champions will gather in Los Angeles in September to compete for the annual championship title. On Holding aims to convey its brand's running spirit, pay tribute to local running group culture, and connect the global running community through this initiative. Since its debut in China in 2022, the scale of the On Squad Race has continued to expand. In 2026, the race began at the inaugural Langyuan Station in Beijing and Yuehui City in Guangzhou, with 80 running groups and 320 runners nationwide participating. The race adopts a unique and fast-paced relay format held in unconventional spaces, incorporating a signature circular ramp design—this challenging route requires each runner to complete a single lap including uphill and downhill sections before passing the baton. With an emphasis on speed, fun, and interaction, it creates an immersive experience for both runners and spectators.

Kailas FUGA Big Slope Race 2026 first leg concludes

Recently, the 2026 Kailas FUGA Big Slope Race started in Yunshang Grassland, Anji, Zhejiang, with nearly a thousand competitors engaging in hardcore competition on steep slopes. As the first domestic short-distance competitive trail race focusing on 'big slopes,' the event emphasizes strong competitiveness, high spectator appeal, and high participation. Competitors must meet the ITRA performance score of over 350 or have a full marathon time within 4 hours and 30 minutes. The race covers 13.47 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 1,091 meters, averaging a slope gradient of 19.8%, with some sections reaching up to 49.5%. One segment includes a continuous ascent of nearly 1,000 meters over 4.5 kilometers, posing the ultimate test for competitors' cardiorespiratory endurance and climbing ability. The race offers a total prize pool exceeding 100,000 yuan, with separate awards for 'King of the Climb' and 'King of the Descent' segments, as well as a personal breakthrough award. Finishers also get a chance to qualify directly for the 2026 Kailas Moganshan Mountain Run. During the event, Kailas unveiled the new MONSTER trail shoe, equipped with a full-length VIBRAM MEGAGRIP wet-grip outsole, providing superior traction that defines off-road performance and ensuring professional gear support for racers.

Nike ACG launches high-performance hiking boot Zegama Hike

Nike ACG officially released the all-new high-performance hiking boot Zegama Hike, inspired by the Zegama Trail trail running shoe. This model underwent extensive global testing, including deep hikes in Oregon, cross-Alpine treks, and collaborations with urban hiking communities and athletes in cities like Los Angeles and South Korea. The development team simulated extreme scenarios involving 8 to 10 hours of hiking with heavy loads to ensure long-lasting performance. While maintaining the flexibility and lightness of running shoes, it enhances support and durability for long-distance and high-intensity hiking through mid-cut design and structural reinforcement. The shoe is equipped with Vibram® Megagrip outsoles, with a wider base further enhancing downhill stability under load. Nike ACG Zegama Hike is expected to be officially released in July 2026.

Jasmine Milk White launches its first coffee product line

On April 16th, Jasmine Milk White officially rolled out its first coffee series products '400 Times Yuanyang Thai Milk' and 'Needle King'AppleLatte', priced at 21 yuan and 20 yuan respectively. This marks the brand’s first introduction of premium SOE coffee into its product portfolio. These new products combine 100% Arabica SOE coffee liquid from Honduras with the floral tea bases and complex flavor layers the brand is known for, alongside the already proven 'salty cheese milk' element, retaining the distinctiveness of coffee while lowering the barrier for users to try. The launch simultaneously featured联动 (missing proper translation context) with the theme lyric cups under “Plant Beans, Get Beans” concept.

UNDER ARMOUR launches the 'This Is Flag Football' year-round promotional campaign

Under Armour has announced the official launch of its year-round 'This is Flag Football' promotional campaign, further boosting the emerging sport of flag football. Starting in April, Under Armour will roll out several key activities, kicking off with NFL player Justin Jefferson's first visit to China. This will be followed by a series of community flag football tournaments across multiple cities, campus promotion programs, elite training camps, and a new round of the UA NEXT COMBINE fitness challenge, culminating in the UA Flag Football Championship. Alongside promoting the development of flag football, Under Armour is also launching a new line of UA high-performance quick-drying T-shirts. The collection includes the UA Vanish Light Shadow short-sleeve series, UA Iso-Chill Cool Burst short-sleeve series, UA HeatGear® Classic compression shirts, and UA HeatGear® Elite compression shirts. Designed to meet the specific demands of flag football, this series features core attributes such as lightweight, high elasticity, and moisture-wicking properties, catering to the frequent direction changes, continuous running, and high-intensity confrontations inherent in flag football. These products aim to help flag football enthusiasts perform better and make every game more exciting.

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