How Moutai became China’s No. 1 liquor brand
Kweichow has Moutai, and its fragrance comes from all over the world.
China's Kweichow Moutai (referred to as Moutai) is one of the most expensive and valuable liquor brands in the world. There are multiple factors behind its high price, including unparalleled brand prestige, strict limited production, profound historical background and cultural symbolism, as well as significant investment and collection value. Not only does Moutai enjoy a special status within China, often appearing at state banquets and international diplomatic occasions, it has also consolidated its position in the high-end market through sophisticated marketing strategies. From brand story to scarcity marketing to high-end market positioning, Moutai's road to success is full of wisdom and ingenuity.
How China’s Moutai became China’s No. 1 liquor brand
Moutai has unrivaled brand status in China and is seen as a symbol of status and wealth. This status comes not only from the taste of its wine, but also from its historical and cultural significance. In China, Moutai is often used as a high-end gift to symbolize respect and sincerity, which also keeps its price high.
Moutai enjoys a special status within the Chinese Communist Party, regularly appearing at state banquets and gaining official recognition and admiration.
Moutai's production process is extremely rigorous and time-consuming, limiting its annual output. Moutai's brand manager Wu Dewang once mentioned that Moutai's annual production target is to increase from the current 48,000 tons to 56,000 tons, but this upper limit is difficult to break because overproduction may affect the quality of the liquor and the ecosystem.
In addition, Moutai often launches limited edition products, further reinforcing their scarcity and collectible value, which keeps their prices rising.
Maotai liquor has been used by Chinese leaders and dignitaries to celebrate major national events since 1949. For example, Mao Zedong used Maotai to toast at the founding of the People's Republic of China and Zhou Enlai at the state banquet. This makes Moutai a symbol of culture and history, increasing its brand value.
Moutai's production technology was modernized and improved in the 1950s, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to further enhance its quality and market value.
Moutai is not only a drink, but also an investment. Old Moutai liquor is expensive in the auction market. A box of "Sunflower Brand" Moutai from 1974 sold for 1 million pounds (approximately 9 million yuan) (related news report: CNN ). This price is much higher than The estimated price of 200,000 to 450,000 pounds previously estimated by experts is also the highest ever auction price for a single batch of Moutai liquor outside China.
Moutai often puts effort into limited-edition packaging and vintage wines, making them treasures in the eyes of collectors and investors.
China Moutai’s marketing methods
Brand story and cultural marketing
Moutai has leveraged its deep historical background and cultural symbolism to position itself as China's "national drink," even if the title is not officially registered. By continuously reinforcing its historical story and cultural significance, Moutai has successfully tied itself to Chinese identity and culture.
Moutai appears frequently on major national occasions and international diplomatic activities, which not only consolidates its domestic status but also enhances its international reputation.
scarcity marketing
Moutai uses production control and limited-edition products to create a sense of scarcity in the market. This strategy not only consolidates its position in the high-end market, but also enhances the collectible value and investment potential of its products.
Moutai often uses limited releases and special packaging to attract the attention of consumers and collectors. These limited edition products are often in short supply in the market, driving up prices.
High-end market positioning
Moutai positions itself at the high end of the market, targeting affluent consumers and the corporate gift market. This positioning not only allows its products to be sold at high prices, but also attracts consumers who seek quality and status symbols.
Moutai has partnered with high-end restaurants, hotels and luxury brands to further solidify its high-end market positioning. For example, in some high-end occasions, Moutai has become the only liquor brand supplied, which enhances the exclusivity and dignity of its brand.
In China, Moutai is often used as high-end gifts, especially among business and government officials. This gift culture further drives the market demand and price of Moutai.
Why has the price of Moutai plummeted recently? multiple factor analysis
Recently, Moutai's share price and market price have experienced significant declines, which has triggered widespread concern and discussion in the market. Moutai, as the leading brand in China's liquor market, its price fluctuations not only affect the mentality of investors and consumers, but are also regarded as a benchmark for the entire liquor industry. The following will analyze the reasons for the decline in Moutai's share price and discuss its potential impact on the market.
First of all, seasonal factors have a certain impact on the price of Moutai. Traditionally, summer is regarded as the off-season for liquor, and consumer demand is relatively weakened, which will naturally put pressure on stock prices. However, this year's situation seems unusual. According to industry insiders, in addition to the impact of the off-season, the mismatch between supply and demand for Moutai and declining consumer confidence are also the main reasons for the price drop.
Secondly, the backlash phenomenon of Moutai’s high-end attributes deserves attention. In the luxury market, price is often tied to a brand’s exclusivity and scarcity. However, some of Moutai's market strategies in recent years, such as the co-branded product "Maotai Latte" with Luckin Coffee, may have diluted its unique positioning as a luxury product. Although this strategy has expanded market coverage, it may also have weakened Moutai's luxury image in the minds of consumers, thereby affecting its price and stock price.
In addition, the decline in Moutai's stock price is also related to its performance in the capital market. Analysts pointed out that the decline in Moutai's stock price was not only due to the off-season, but also related to the large social inventory in the early stage, the concentrated release of Feitian Moutai and the concentrated release of 375ml Moutai Xunfeng by individual sellers, which caused panic in the market. These factors have caused the short-term decline in the price of Moutai. The market as a whole has short-term supply greater than demand, which naturally leads to price fluctuations.
Moutai's share price decline has also raised concerns about its financial attributes. The market is worried that if Moutai loses its appeal as an investment product, it may have a serious impact on the entire liquor industry. Experts are looking forward to changes in consumption patterns to achieve the goal of making Moutai affordable for everyone, which may mean that Moutai needs to find new market positioning and development strategies while maintaining brand value.