Reward 500 Tiger-coinsEveryone should have received the SG$60 neighborhood shopping voucher, right? What is everyone buying with it? Recently, a 28-year-old Singaporean made headlines online for using his voucher to buy a few packs of Pokémon cards.
He was seen strolling through a supermarket, checking out groceries, then turning around to enter a game store displaying a “Neighborhood Voucher Accepted” sign. He picked up a few Pokémon card packs, paid, and walked out. The video quickly went viral.
This unconventional use of the voucher sparked a discussion online.
Supporters argue that using the voucher doesn’t have to be limited to groceries—purchasing something you enjoy while supporting local businesses is fine. Happiness is also a basic need, and buying cards helps support small brick-and-mortar stores! Critics, however, say this isn’t easing the cost of living but rather subsidizing consumption. Some people can’t even afford cooking oil, yet he’s spending it on trading cards—it’s a waste.
Facing criticism, he responded gracefully: this isn’t frivolous spending or an attempt to gain online attention—it’s purely an interest-based investment. “Some think buying groceries is a necessity, but for me, buying Pokémon cards makes me happy, which is another kind of life necessity.”
Recently, the consumer goods sector has shown a polarizing trend during earnings season.
$POP MART(09992)$ and $LAOPU GOLD(06181)$ soared after reporting. $POP MART(09992)$’s gross margin is as high as 70%, and its net margin is comparable with $Hermes International SA(HESAF)$.
Meanwhile, established cosmetics company $Estee Lauder(EL)$ continued to fall. Luxury brands like $Hermes International SA(HESAF)$ and Kering faced pressure on both earnings and stock prices, and the mid-luxury brand Coach’s parent company $Tapestry Inc.(TPR)$ also dropped 15% in a single day after its earnings release.
Even apparel brands haven’t escaped trend shifts. $Lululemon Athletica(LULU)$ rose 59% in 2023, but now Alo has become the new yoga apparel craze, and Lululemon’s stock has halved.
Familiar brands are no longer as popular—can you understand why Gen Z loves Pop Mart?
Laopu Gold is considered a new Chinese luxury brand, and LVMH has also mentioned its influence.
Compared with Cartier or Bulgari, could Laopu Gold become a classic brand? If it follows this path, does it still have potential for stock price growth?
With consumer goods polarizing, should investors chase trending brands or buy the companies being sold off by the market?
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Comments
In today's consumer split, investors face a choice: chase the dopamine of trending brands or scoop up legacy players the market is ghosting.
Pop Mart sells joy in blind boxes. Laopu Gold wraps heritage in Gen Z swagger. But trends can fade.
Meanwhile Estee Lauder still owns prestige while Lululemon still stretches global reach. Boring? Maybe but boring compounds just like CPF interests or DBS dividends.
In SG60's spirit of reinvention, maybe my portfolio needs both : A little sparkle, a little substance. Investing isn't just about what is hot. Investing is about what lasts.
@Tiger_SG @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @CaptainTiger @Tiger Club
Looking at consumer goods, it’s clear brands that resonate with Gen Z—like Pop Mart or Laopu Gold—are thriving. Younger buyers value novelty & cultural identity, which is why traditional names like Estee Lauder or Coach are struggling. It’s less about the product itself and more about relevance.
For investing, I’d balance both sides. Trendy brands can deliver strong growth if you catch them early, but tastes shift quickly. Established luxury players may be undervalued if they adapt. My approach would be to diversify: some exposure to rising “new wave” names, while holding on to classic brands with proven resilience.
@Tiger_SG @TigerStars @Tiger_comments
In this SG60 year, I am grateful :
Grateful for the freedom to choose.
Grateful for the quiet diginity of every day life.
Grateful that I live in Singapore where there is peace and harmony.
Grateful that Joy is found in little things in life.
To each their own. That is the Singapore way.🥰🥰🥰🌈🌈🌈🎊🎊🎊🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬
@Tiger_SG @TigerStars @Tiger_comments @TigerClub