Chapter 476: A Booming Opening
November 11th, known as Singles' Day in the future, is a significant day for everyone. However, in today's Hong Kong, even though there is no Singles' Day, it is still a very special day for all employees of 7-11 Retail Company.
Because today is the grand reopening of the 7-11 chain of convenience stores!
Xia Yu had prepared two full months to integrate and split up the major enterprises under his management.
Originally, the retail business under the Milk Company was split into four independent companies: 7-11 Retail Company, Wellcome Supermarket Ltd., Mannings Pharmacy Ltd., and IKEA Home Furnishings Ltd.
Due to their relatively small scale and single focus, the split of these four retail companies only took half a month, and they all fell under the Nine Ding Retail Group.
In the remaining time, Xia Yu reorganized and expanded the staff of the four companies, then held meetings to set the development strategies and objectives for each company.
The most challenging development was with Wellcome Supermarket, as each supermarket has a large scale and is not easily set up. The original five large supermarkets needed significant effort for rectification.
On the other hand, 7-11 Retail Company was relatively easier to manage.
Although 7-11 Retail Company originally had twenty convenience stores, each store was relatively small, not exceeding one hundred square meters. Typically, each store only required one cashier and one shelf clerk.
Including administrative, procurement, transportation, and warehousing staff, the total number of employees in 7-11 Retail Company was about 125.
After Xia Yu set the strategy, General Manager Fu Kai followed Xia Yu's instructions to refine the company's rules and regulations, recruit more talent, and start the renovation of the original 20 stores, as well as the site selection and decoration for 10 new stores in Kowloon.
Originally, Kowloon had 7 convenience stores. With the addition of the new 7-11 stores, there were now 17 stores distributed across Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong District, Kwun Tong District, Wong Tai Sin District, and Sham Shui Po District.
According to Xia Yu's plan, the foundation for 7-11 convenience stores had to be solid.
There are many chain and independent convenience stores in Hong Kong. The advantage of 7-11 convenience stores was not substantial. It was better to start by refining operations and logistics systems before launching an aggressive expansion.
In the previous life, 7-11 was able to defeat numerous competitors to become the world's leading convenience retail company with over 56,000 stores, operating efficiently and effectively thanks to its advanced logistics system, which improved efficiency, reduced costs, and optimized services.
Therefore, the first step in the expansion of 7-11 Retail Company was to become the king of convenience stores in Kowloon, creating an advanced logistics model.
Today, everything was finally prepared and the pre-opening publicity was complete, marking the official grand opening!
Early in the morning, Xia Yu arrived at Tsim Sha Tsui in the Yau Tsim Mong District, accompanied by Fu Kai, the General Manager of 7-11 Retail Company.
In Tsim Sha Tsui, there was already an existing 7-11 store. The new store was located at the entrance of a residential complex, with a very good location and surrounded by several buildings, resulting in high and consistent foot traffic.
Walking along, guided by Fu Kai, Xia Yu visited all seven convenience stores in the area before feeling completely reassured.
Among the seven stores, three belonged to chain branches of different retail companies. They had better environments and a more complete range of products, but Xia Yu felt they could not compare to his own 7-11 store. The service attitude was even worse, with employees appearing lazy and indifferent.
The other four independent stores were even worse. They were mixed with residential areas, with messy product displays, untimely restocking, expired products, poor environment, and high prices. They were clearly running as a sideline.
Soon, Xia Yu saw his own 7-11 store from a distance—Tsim Sha Tsui Store No. 2.
Flower baskets were placed at the entrance, with a large red arch and red firecracker fragments scattered on the ground. The entrance was crowded with people, and despite efforts to maintain order, it still looked chaotic.
Seeing this, Fu Kai looked at Xia Yu with some concern, but Xia Yu just smiled and nodded slightly, clearly pleased.
"Wow, great! The store is packed with customers!"
Approaching, Xia Yu looked through the transparent glass windows and saw the store filled with people, mostly middle-aged men and women, continuously filling their baskets with items.
It was not just grabbing; it seemed like they were trying to buy all their yearly supplies in one go.
Seeing this scene, Xia Yu smiled.
Fu Kai, who had been observing Xia Yu's expression, quickly explained, "Boss, according to our opening promotion plan, we have discounts for the first three days—30% off on the first day, 20% off on the second day, 10% off on the third day, and prices will return to normal on the fourth day."
"And since our procurement is done together with Wellcome Supermarket, and with our large scale, we've managed to keep the procurement prices very low. Even without the discounts, our prices are equivalent to 90-95% of other convenience stores. We truly offer value for money!"
"Very good. Convenience stores need to be convenient and beneficial to the people to win customers' hearts. Generally, convenience store shoppers are mostly elderly, who are very sensitive to prices. Value for money is essential."
"But service must not lag behind!"
Xia Yu commented as he followed the crowd into the store.
"Welcome!"
Two attractive young women wearing sashes stood at the entrance, greeting every customer with a warm smile, appearing tireless.
Upon entering, Xia Yu saw two cash registers, with two young and beautiful girls efficiently calculating and giving change. Despite their sweaty foreheads, they were too busy to wipe them, focusing entirely on their work, and didn't notice the Chairman and General Manager arriving.
"The store manager is Li Juan, only 23 years old. She stood out in evaluations due to her meticulousness and was appointed as the store manager. The other is Liu Xue, a shelf clerk who temporarily serves as a cashier. The etiquette ladies outside were hired from an etiquette company."
Seeing Fu Kai's detailed knowledge of the store, Xia Yu couldn't help but think highly of him.
He had chosen to visit Tsim Sha Tsui on a whim, so Fu Kai had little time to prepare. This showed that Fu Kai was very knowledgeable about the store's operations, even knowing the names of subordinates, indicating his dedication to the company's management.
"This store is excellent!"
After a tour, Xia Yu was very satisfied with the store's innovative and convenient layout, high-quality products, and enthusiastic customers. He nodded in approval and, feeling pleased, said to Fu Kai as he exited.
Fu Kai immediately smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Boss!"
"This store should be able to surpass 60,000 today."
Xia Yu looked again at the crowded store and calculated in his mind before smiling and saying, "I believe it's possible. Considering the location here, the company's original goal for the first day was to ensure at least 50,000, aiming for 80,000. Let's see if we can reach that target."
Fu Kai replied with anticipation, "I think it's achievable. Based on the location, our goal was set at 50,000, with a stretch target of 80,000. We'll see if we can hit the 80,000 sales figure."
Xia Yu nodded slightly, glanced at the convenience store across the street, which was currently empty with no customers, and seemed to notice the store manager's red, tired eyes.
"Let's go. We should visit the stores in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok next."
Xia Yu withdrew his gaze and said to Fu Kai.
"Sure!"
Fu Kai responded respectfully and then quickly opened the car door for Xia Yu. After getting into the front passenger seat, he directed the driver to head to the Yau Ma Tei store location.