Recently, an article titled “Now, All Industries Are Waiting for the Fish to Die” has been circulating online, describing the grim situation where all sectors are in a state of waiting for the inevitable. The author couldn’t help but lament, wondering how to break free from what seems like an endless cycle. Some netizens expressed their thoughts, one said, “Waiting for the whale to die, one whale falls, and all things come to life.”
In the local market, elderly individuals are often seen purposely arriving late in the evening to wait in front of the fish stall, hoping to buy fish at a lower price when they are no longer fresh. However, in the past couple of years, due to the continuous economic decline, it has become easier for the “fish” to die. More customers are now seen standing in front of the fish stall, including investors looking to acquire dead fish, and others waiting for the owners to sell off the parts of the dead fish at reduced prices.
In the fish tank, the fish are hoping for other fish to die first, as this would increase the selling price for themselves. They strive to survive despite the circumstances so that they can fetch a good price in the end, all while “waiting for the fish to die.”
The author raised concerns about the ecosystem balance in the market being disrupted by the increasing number of people waiting for the fish to die. Can the fish sellers still make a profit? Will they be willing to pay booth fees if they can’t make money? If booth fees are not paid…
The author gave an example of taking a medical equipment vendor to see a production facility last week. The 3000 square meter production space had been renovated by the previous tenant at a cost of 15 million yuan. Due to financing issues, the vendor was forced to shut down and is now seeking a new tenant urgently to minimize contractual penalties. However, customers still found the rent too expensive. The author questioned why the renovation cost was saved, yet the rent was the major expense.
The customers nonchalantly responded, “No rush, a space like this will be available by the end of the year.” The author couldn’t help but comment, “Another wait for the fish to die. The more that die, the cheaper they can be bought.”
The author couldn’t help but wonder, “It seems like everyone is stuck in a vicious cycle, so how can we break free from it?”
In recent years, with the overall decline of the Chinese economy, export enterprises continue to relocate, leading to numerous business closures, including a wave of closures in physical retail and food service industries.
Netizens have shared their views, “Many industries in the domestic manufacturing sector are facing similar issues… when there are more people waiting for the fish to die, if there are no more fish to wait for, maybe they will all be sold? But what about the dead fish, will they be discarded.” “Everyone knows to buy low, but where is the bottom? Who has the capability to lead a large-scale bottoming out, isn’t it the retail investors?” “Isn’t this just deflation?” “Basically, there is no money left.”
Some netizens responded to the author, citing the phrase, “Waiting for the whale to die, once the whale falls, everything comes to life.” However, others warned, “If it’s so easy, the moment the whale falls, it will certainly create a huge wave.”