Asianometry Nongfu Spring and China's Bottled Water Wars
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Aug 14, 2025 Dive into the intriguing world of China's bottled water industry! Discover how Nongfu Spring rose to prominence amidst scandals and health myths. Learn about the impact of urbanization and pollution on bottled water's popularity. Uncover the challenges faced by major players like Wahaha and Master Kong, including fierce competition and smear campaigns. This exploration highlights the unexpected drama and marketing strategies that shape the thirst for bottled water in China.
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From Journalist To Serial Entrepreneur
- Zhong Sansan rose from Cultural Revolution disruption to journalism and entrepreneurship in Zhejiang and Hainan.
- He founded businesses including curtains and turtle-pill supplements before entering bottled water.
Turtle Pills Launched A Brand
- Zong launched Yangshan Tang turtle pills after seeing Ma Junren's endorsed turtle essence product succeed in 1993.
- He marketed factory tours and lotteries to prove authenticity and drove strong sales by 1996.
Pollution Created A Huge Water Market
- Rapid urbanization and pollution in 1990s China created strong demand for packaged water.
- Foreign premium brands lost share to cheaper domestic purified-water players like Wahaha and Robust.