Digital Management with D-CODE Engine: Closed-Loop Mechanism and Empirical Study of Community-Driven Growth—A Case of Pop Mart

Amidst the transformation of digital management**, community operations, IP economy, and blind-box consumption have emerged as core drivers, community operations, IP economy, and blind-box consumption have emerged as the core drivers of e-commerce brand growth. Taking Pop Mart as a case, this study combines annual reports, WeChat community metrics, and user interviews, employing multi-source data triangulation to uncover its digital user growth mechanisms. Findings indicate: (1) the blind-box mechanism—designed around “scarcity + randomness” (e.g., 1/144 hidden-figure probability)—triggers addictive purchasing, achieving a 72% repurchase rate; (2) emotional IP operations (e.g., narrative storytelling around “Molly” plus a tiered membership system) significantly enhance user retention; (3) the synergy of private-domain viral loops (WeChat community + mini-program integration) and a data middle office enables precision operations (community K-factor = 1.8, conversion rate up by 27%). Building on these insights, we propose the D-CODE Growth Model (Data–Community–Operation–Design–Emotion), offering a light-asset, replicable closed-loop growth path for emerging brands and a theoretical and operational framework for industry practice.This study proposes a D-CODE Growth Engine, integrating Data (fuel), Community (transmission), Operation (control), and Design-Emotion (navigation), forming a self-driving closed-loop for digital user growth.