Zhang Ruiqiang asked: “Where do you want to build it?”
“Here. There is a building that had just started construction this year. That 5 stories commercial building that is still under construction. I want that building.” Feng Yu points to a spot on Bing City’s map in Zhang Ruiqiang’s office.
“What? You want to build it here? This is the commercial district planned by the city. The city needs to depend on this district to push the economy of the surrounding areas.” Zhang Ruiqiang shook his head. If he sells this building to Feng Yu, it will disrupt the City’s planning.
“Our Hypermarket can also help the economies of the surrounding areas.”
“You are only setting up a big grocery store. What economies can you help?” Zhang Ruiqiang shoots a glance at Feng Yu. What rubbish was he talking about?
“Leader, you do not understand about this Hypermarket. In other countries, this type of Hypermarkets can help push the economy of the area. There are lots of examples. The most prominent area is Switzerland, France, and the US. Even Hong Kong is also one of them.”
“I have never been to those places. I only trust my own eyes. How can a big grocery store push the economies of the surrounding areas?” Zhang Ruiqiang asked.
“I will say this one more time. This is a Megamall with Tai Hua Supermarket as it’s core. It is not a grocery store!” Feng Yu shouted. “A Megamall will attract lots of customers because our goods will be cheaper. With human traffic, why can’t that area be a commercial district? Doesn’t this considered pushing up the economy?”
“Your goods are cheaper? How much cheaper can it be?”
“We will set up at least 20 hypermarkets this year. That is 20 Megamalls. It will be China’s biggest chain malls. Our scale is enormous, and the suppliers will surely give us a lower price. A can of drink, a packet of instant noodles, a pair of slippers and even a tube of toothpaste. The prices will surely be lower than those grocery stores. It might be 10 cents cheaper or even a few cents cheaper. But if you are buying a lot of products, they will save a few dollars, tens of dollars, or even more than that!”
“How much is our average income of Bing City’s residents? Not more than 3,000 RMB? If the customers could save 10 RMB per visit, it will be more than their one day’s wages. Do you think they will not come to our Hypermarket?” Feng Yu asked Zhang Ruiqiang back.
“How much can a tube of toothpaste cost and how much can a pair of slippers cost? Who will travel all the way to your hypermarket to buy these things?”
“We are not only selling these things. Almost every daily necessity you can think of will be sold in our Hypermarket. Also, there will be some other stores within the mall. It will just be like shopping in a shopping mall. The customer does not need to feel embarrassed even if they cannot afford those items.”
The current customer service was far from the future years. The salespeople working at shopping malls were snobbish. If you can afford their products, they will be nice to you. But if you cannot afford, they will chase you out of their stores!
The Hypermarket is a one-stop shopping area. Although there were shop assistants around, it was up to the customer whether if they want to purchase anything. Also, all the products were placed on the shelves, and the prices were clearly shown. The customers will be able to judge for themselves if they want to purchase it or not.
Those customers who were not well off can also shop there. They could look at the various products, and if they feel any products were worth buying, they can just buy. This was the advantage of shopping in a supermarket.
“But that will also not attract a lot of customers. Are you also going to advertise your hypermarket?” Zhang Ruiqiang still does not understand the operations of this Hypermarket. Even if the products were cheap, not everyone would be willing to go there to buy items. The customers must know that they were able to purchase more affordable products in your hypermarket in the first place.
“Of course. We will advertise by using the simplest way. Giving out flyers. On the opening day, CCTV’s news will be reporting about us. The whole nation will know about our Hypermarkets.”
“What? You all will be on the news?” Zhang Ruiqiang glanced at Feng Yu. What rubbish are you talking about? This was only the opening of a company and not some high-tech technology. How can this be reported on CCTV’s news? CCTV’s news reports just the latest news of the country’s top leaders and other international events. How can this Hypermarket be on the news?
Feng Yu showed two fingers: “Just because of two reasons. First, I am very close to CCTV. Second, Superman Li and the Fu Family have shares in Tai Hua Supermarket Enterprise. They are investing in China, and this is very meaningful for Hong Kong’s return to China.”
With the Li and Fu families participating in this venture, Tai Hua Supermarket Enterprise had lots of advantages. There were only a few more years before Hong Kong’s return to China. Although it will be one country two systems, many Hong Kong businessmen do not dare to invest in China. Some even pull out their investments. If the Li and Fu families came to China and invest, it will boost the confidence of many Hong Kong businessmen.
With this backing, this reason and connections, Feng Yu were confident that this will be reported by CCTV. Furthermore, he could also invite some leaders to visit Tai Hua Hypermarkets. It’s normal for CCTV news to report about the country’s leaders.
If the leaders were not willing to visit? They get Superman Li to visit. With Superman Li around, all the leaders will be rushing to meet him. Even if Superman Li were to visit the US, it would also be on the news!
When Tai Hua Supermarket appears on CCTV’s news, it will spark the curiosity of the people. Coupled with the promotional efforts of flyers, it will surely be a hit on an opening day.
Zhang Ruiqiang was deep in thoughts. This hypermarket would not go wrong if Hong Kong’s Li and Fu families had shares in it. They were the super tycoons of Asia. They will not invest in loss-making businesses.
Furthermore, Zhang Ruiqiang remembered that Feng Yu’s businesses had never made any losses before. With so many capable people joining hands, there will undoubtedly be great results. But he was still hesitating whether if he should let Feng Yu use the mall. It was reserved for the city’s planning.
Feng Yu saw Zhang Ruiqiang’s hesitation and start to count his fingers: “20 Hypermarkets. Beijing and Shanghai will have 3 each. Tianjin, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Jinlin, Tianfu…… Ah……. I think we do not have enough funds…… I think Bing City should be put on hold first.”
Zhang Ruiqiang stared at Feng Yu angrily. This brat was threatening him again. After telling him all the benefits of this Hypermarket and now telling him that he does not want to set up this Hypermarket in Bing City? How can he do this?!
“You want that building? No problem. We will sell you that building. The price will not be higher than the market price, but it will not be low either! You say your Hypermarket will help the economies of the surrounding areas? Then can you open a few more Hypermarkets in Bing City?” Zhang Ruiqiang made his decision.
“Open a few more? Not this year. But when we are going to set up more hypermarkets next year, I will consider Bing City first. But what government reliefs are you going to give us for setting up this Hypermarket? How about 3 years tax-free and 2 years 50% tax relief?” Feng Yu got an inch and wants a mile.
“3 years tax-free and 2 years 50% tax relief? What are you thinking?! At most is 1-year tax-free and 1-year 50% tax relief!” Zhang Ruiqiang stared at Feng Yu.
“Fine. That’s settled then. Gather all your men, and we will discuss the details in the afternoon. Once it is done, we will sign the agreement.” 1-year tax-free and 1-year 50% tax relief was what Feng Yu actually wanted.
After Feng Yu left Zhang Ruiqiang’s office and returned to his car, he called Fu Guangzheng: “Brother Fu, Bing City, have agreed to us getting 1-year tax free and 1-year 50% tax relief. You ask the leaders of the respective provinces and cities if they agree to this condition. If they don’t agree, then we will not invest in their area!”
Although Feng Yu, Fu Guangzheng were working separately, they continued to exchange information. Now, Feng Yu had gotten some government subsidies, and they could make use of this to negotiate for better deals with the leaders in other cities. If Bing City could give them these benefits, why can’t the other cities do the same too? Don’t agree? Fine. We will go to other places!
