Is the Imported Snack Agency Business Ruining Chengdu People's Wallets?

Suddenly craving Japanese raw chocolate while binge - watching dramas late at night? Want to amaze everyone at a (girls' gathering) with Belgian chocolate? The snack cabinets of Chengdu people are quietly undergoing "globalization" - from Southeast Asian durian dried fruit to Nordic licorice candy, imported snacks are no longer luxury items, but a taste adventure within reach. Today, we're going to reveal how this food - capital city makes snacks from all over the world easily jump into your shopping cart through the agency model.

In an office building on Chunxi Road, Mr. Zhang's team has to handle over 200 agency applications every week. "Three years ago, we mainly did maternal and child purchasing, but now snack orders account for 70%," he said, showing samples of newly arrived Italian bubble gum. "Chengdu people are willing to pay for novelty." Data shows that in 2023, the market size of imported snacks in Chengdu increased by 43% year - on - year, far exceeding the national average.

Three Core Driving Forces:

• The 2.0 Era of Consumption Upgrading: Shifting from "being able to buy" to "buying something unique", Norwegian reindeer jerky is 8 times more expensive than traditional beef jerky but still has a stable customer base
• The Attribute of Social Currency: Ms. Li's baking studio uses French Fleur de Sel caramel sauce as a souvenir, doubling the order volume
• The Innovation of the Agency Model: Cross - border supply chains built by enterprises such as Zhongshitong have reduced logistics costs by 35%

Walking into the imported food section of Ito Yokado, the packaging of Thai coconut rolls has a prominent agency label. This "brand - general agent - distribution" model seems simple, but actually has hidden mysteries. A certain South Korean seaweed brand authorized 3 agents simultaneously, leading to a vicious price war in the Chengdu market, and ultimately, all three parties suffered losses.

Common Characteristics of Successful Agents:

• Precise Product Selection: In view of the humid climate in Chengdu, an agent specializes in Japanese dehumidifier - packaged nuts, selling 20,000 cans per month
• Localized Operation: German rye biscuits paired with Sichuan - style chili dipping sauce unexpectedly became a hit in hot - pot restaurants
• Compliance Awareness: Strictly abide by the 19 new food quarantine standards added by the General Administration of Customs in 2023

Ms. Wang, who just returned from studying in Australia, started a handmade caramel agency business with a startup capital of 50,000 yuan. She summarized the " (Three - Three System)" principle: allocate 30% of energy to product selection (avoiding red - ocean categories such as chocolate), 30% to logistics control (especially paying attention to temperature - controlled foods), and 30% to experience creation (regularly holding snack blind - tasting parties).

It is worth noting that the "light agency" model is now popular: no inventory, no warehouse rental, and through the cloud - warehouse system, it realizes "customer order - direct shipment by the general agent". Zhongshitong's newly launched intelligent product - selection system can recommend potential products based on consumption data in various regions of Chengdu, reducing the trial - and - error cost by 60%.

While we are discussing Malaysian freeze - dried durian, Dubai date jam has quietly landed in Taikooli. Some distributors have started to try the "snack subscription system", delivering themed boxes from different countries every month. Perhaps in the near future, the afternoon tea of Chengdu people will become: sipping Ceylon black tea, chewing Finnish reindeer cheese, and tasting the latest season's maple - syrup pecan nuts in sync with New Yorkers.

Which imported snack have you been obsessed with recently? Welcome to share your "transnational snack list" in the comment section. The three readers with the most likes will receive the international snack blind boxes we prepared. After all, in Chengdu, the center of the food universe, the journey of exploring the world might as well start from the tip of the tongue.