On 28 October, it was reported that the viral supermarket chain Pangdonglai (胖东来, lit. Fat Donglai, also DL) is projected to earn over 15 billion RMB (2.10 billion USD) in 2024, increasing over 40% year-on-year (YoY). The number comes from the Provincial Party Committee Publicity Department of Henan, in celebration of modernisation progress in the city of Xuchang, where Pangdonglai was founded. However, many online joke that the company will worry again that it earned too much money this year.
The jokes originated from an interview by the group’s founder and Chairman, Yu back in April when he said he was worried that the company was profiting too much. In the video, Yu admits that he had planned to earn 30 million RMB (4.20 million USD) last year, but instead, the profit of Pangdonglai reached 140 million RMB (19.62 million USD) in 2023. With only 13 locations in Xuchang and Xinxiang, both are Tier 3 cities in the Henan province.
On Weibo, China’s Twitter equivalent, the topic “profit of a single Pangdonglai store overtakes all public trading supermarkets” (#胖东来单店盈利已超所有商超上市公司#) shot to number 2 on the Hot Search list with 32.30 million views. Many online praise the chain for its value for money, as well as great pay and benefits for its staff. But more ask for Pangdonglai to expand into their own cities.
Pangdonglai gained viral popularity for the same reasons netizens love it, as well as its huge earnings. These set the chain apart from all the “involution” and hardship of other offline chains. Who knew having great value products and treating your staff well can make you a success? The supermarket chain Yonghui Superstores turned the tide around after Pangdonglai decided to help transform Yonghui’s stores in Henan. Top livestreamer Xinba has also recently visited Pangdonglai to seek inspiration for his own supermarket plans.
