1988: Back to the human world for a few years

Chapter 337 What I Saw (3)

What was somewhat beyond Tao Quan's expectation was that the huge leisure square in front of the Dahua Industrial Park Commercial Demonstration Zone was very beautifully built, and whether in terms of building area, various facilities, or even artistry and vegetation landscape, it was even better than the People's Square in Shantou;
But the commercial area behind it, which had been basically completed and gradually put into use, was completely different from what he had imagined.

He thought that since the square was so beautiful, the commercial street next to it must be like Shantou today, with fashionable buildings like the Jingshan Shopping Mall and the duty-free shopping mall that would not look outdated even in the future... Maybe it would also imitate Shantou's Waimalu and Lian Road, and build a lot of beautiful commercial buildings that are extremely western but mixed with strong European elements.

However, to his surprise, the buildings in Commercial District 1 were indeed distinctive, but had nothing to do with being fashionable or stylish. They were all in a rough style of red bricks and cement gray, and were basically two-and-a-half-story bungalows.

While others are trying to catch up with fashion and get as close to Europe and the United States as possible, here we are playing with retro style... and what we are replicating is not the classical beauty of ancient China with carved balustrades and pavilions.

But I have to say that when you walk into this rugged world full of history and red atmosphere, an inexplicable sense of intimacy will emerge from your bones, and you will not feel an invisible sense of tension and crampedness as if you were in a high-end shopping mall.

Great!

This was the first thought that came to Tao Quan's mind after a brief moment of shock.

Having spent several years in Shantou, he knew very well that although the commercial streets there were prosperous and there was no shortage of suckers in the various fancy shopping malls, those buildings were built in an extremely grand manner and, while they differentiated and screened consumers, they themselves had inherent limitations.

That is... popularity, and the ability to tap into consumers' potential.

It's very simple. After all, the majority of people in this world have no money. Currently, less than 2% of people have the confidence to walk into high-end shopping malls. Popularity has always been a huge problem... Even if the decoration is beautiful, but it actually only sells mid-range products, the luxurious appearance will still deter most people.

Well, although there are many wealthy people in Shantou now, there are also many people who are dazzled by the glamour and debauchery and overestimate their own abilities. Therefore, the number of consumer groups in these mid- to high-end places is guaranteed...but the base of these people is limited after all. Once more high-end shopping malls are opened, each one will naturally face the dilemma of insufficient traffic.

In addition, the luxurious decoration can certainly satisfy the vanity of the customers, but in such a cold environment, most people just put on airs and buy what they want, then wander around in a pretentious manner, and then leave with two or three bags in a ostentatious manner. It is impossible for them to really let go and move freely in the mall.

Although there are indeed billionaires in the world, they mostly exist in movies and TV dramas, and these people generally don't go to the so-called high-end shopping malls to buy things. They have their own channels and their own service providers... In other words, most of the people who go to those so-called popular high-end shopping malls to buy things are just middle class and the wealthy class.

Therefore, as a white glove, he certainly knows how fiercely the mid- to high-end shopping malls in Shantou fight for traffic behind the scenes... Although it is not as wild as in bars and nightclubs, there are still many shady tricks used.

But now, this commercial street in Dahua Industrial Park is taking a different route.

First of all, this rough style, where even the red bricks are exposed, will never make you feel that you can’t afford it. In fact, in many people’s impression, the things here should be very cheap.
But you can't say this place is low-end. After all, the decoration style here only reflects the red concept, and does not use money and status to differentiate consumers... What's more, there is a very fashionable leisure square next to it. With that thing as a backdrop, and coupled with the art sculptures and leisure equipment that can be seen everywhere on this street, no one would think that this is just a market in an urban village.

Therefore, in this kind of decoration environment that does not bring consumption pressure and does not make people feel down, it will not only attract enough popularity, but anyone who comes in to play will unconsciously let go.

We can come up with this kind of decoration plan and layout mode that has a natural drainage function, which can continuously attract popularity, ensure the customer's retention time, and fully tap the customer's consumption potential...

The drilling company that was able to launch three star projects, namely, Momo Baizha, Momo Baichao and Momo Bailu, in just one year is truly amazing!
………………

He took a deep breath and turned his head to see that it was not even ten o'clock in the morning, but many people had already come to the leisure square to play and exercise. Tao Quan glanced at the restaurants that were not yet open, and smiled at Niu Wa: "I'm a little thirsty, can I buy you a drink?"

Unexpectedly, Niu Wa just waved his hand, then showed the peeling paint kettle beside him: "I brought water... but if you are thirsty, I recommend you drink this..."

Following the direction pointed by Niu Wa, Tao Quan found that it was a store called "Chen Chuan Health Tea Shop". He immediately became curious and asked, "Do you sell medicinal tea here too?"

Niu Wa looked at him strangely: "Why can't you sell medicinal tea?"

Tao Quan looked at the young people gathered at the door of the store and shrugged, "You misunderstood. What I meant was that I didn't expect to meet someone selling medicinal tea outside of Guangdong... I originally thought that young people here would prefer to drink soda drinks or something like that."

He had been to Tianjin many times before, and he was deeply impressed by the young people there who liked to walk on the streets with soda and cola in their hands.

Niu Wa nodded when he heard this. "There are a lot of people here who like to drink soda, but it is said that the six herbal tea shops on this street are designated projects by the drilling company, and they also provide technical support... I originally thought that these herbal teas would definitely not sell well, but now it seems that this is not the case."

Oh?
Projects specified by drilling companies?
Tao Quan suddenly became energetic and walked towards the health tea shop without saying a word.

Standing obediently in line behind a few young people, Tao Quan glanced at the shop which was only five square meters. After discovering that there were no seats here, he nodded approvingly, and then took the opportunity to look at the deliberately aged iron sign on the storefront that looked like a sentry post.

Eight Immortals Tea: A famous tea recorded in Han's Medical Encyclopedia / Rich and fragrant / Replenishes essence and brightens complexion, preserves vital energy and strengthens kidneys. / Especially suitable in spring.

Wild Rose Dew: A famous tea recorded in the Chinese Medicine Formula Collection / rich fragrance / relieves depression and heat, clears away heat and nourishes the skin / suitable for drinking in spring and summer;

Almond tea: recorded in "Xingyuanlu" / mellow and fragrant / moisturizes the lungs and relieves coughs, especially suitable for young people / suitable for drinking in spring and summer;

Xuanmai Citrus Tea: recorded in "The Great Authority of Yangyi" / sweet, mellow and strong / moisturizes the lungs, produces body fluids, quenches thirst and resolves phlegm / suitable for drinking in all seasons.

Cuiyi Herbal Tea: ...

Huh?
There are not many types of medicinal tea written on this sign, only five.

And it is obvious that the other party pays great attention to the seasons, and the medicinal teas they launch are all suitable for drinking in spring.

But what is quite interesting is that the five products in this store correspond to different functions, namely, replenishing qi and nourishing the skin, relieving cough and reducing phlegm, clearing away heat and detoxifying, eliminating dampness and promoting diuresis, and promoting qi and blood circulation.

When ordinary people see this menu, they would at most think that this restaurant has some market experience and is well aware of the principle that "less is more";

But as Tao Quan who grew up drinking all kinds of herbal tea jars, he naturally noticed the difference... There are huge differences and particularities in these five categories of efficacy. In each category, there are countless types of medicinal teas and related market segments.

Since the other party knows that less is more, why not focus on a certain type of medicinal tea and specialize in producing products?

With a lot of questions in mind, Tao Quan ordered a cup of Eight Immortals Tea just like the two guys in front of him... There's no way, men always have a special liking for products that nourish the essence and strengthen the kidneys.

After taking a sip, Tao Quan became even more confused.

He had drunk Eight Immortals Tea before. This thing is actually made with japonica rice, yellow corn, soybeans, fried mung beans, adzuki beans, fine tea, pure sesame, pepper, fennel, dried white ginger and salt.

This thing does have some effects, but the taste is really weird... In his mind, apart from the Cantonese people who are used to drinking herbal tea, no one would have the time to drink it as a beverage.

But the cup I was drinking now not only had a distinct sweetness, but the strange smell brought by ingredients such as fennel was also suppressed to a very low level. Instead, the bean aroma and fragrance produced by various beans and rice were greatly enhanced… Although in terms of taste alone, it was definitely not as pleasant as cola or soda, but at least it met the standards of a normal drink.

Obviously, this is a recipe that has been improved for marketization, and it is a greatly improved recipe. Even the brewing process has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Tao Quan quickly realized the business opportunity.

I took a closer look and found that the teas were not brewed on the spot, but were packed in five large thermos buckets. I immediately understood something.

Well, as a drilling company, you have spent so much effort to build a commercial street. I'm afraid you are not just doing commercial real estate, right?

After a moment of hesitation, Tao Quan immediately asked Niu Wa to take him to the other five herbal tea shops. After a round, Tao Quan, holding a large bag in his hand, sat on a chair facing the street, constantly sipping the seven cups of various herbal teas, his face gradually becoming more and more shocked.

It was exactly as he had guessed. The six medicinal tea shops, including Chen Chuan's Health Tea Shop, all sold medicinal teas that belonged to those five categories of efficacy, and each shop launched different varieties of medicinal tea.

The seven cups he bought were all types of "authentic" medicinal teas he had drunk before; but without exception, these medicinal teas had been greatly improved... Although it was unclear how much of the actual efficacy was retained, the taste at least met the standards for being put on the market.

In particular, the five products of jasmine tea, rose water, Ophiopogon tea, Xanthium sibiricum tea and almond water, relying on the advantages of the aroma of the raw materials, can be directly put on the market after being greatly optimized.

No, that's not right!

These five products simply taste good. For special products like medicinal tea, if they are to be turned into fast-moving consumer goods, their health value must also be considered, otherwise there will be no horizontal advantage.

In this case, the products such as Wild Rose Dew, Jasmine Dew, Honeysuckle Dew, Eight Immortals Tea, Scrophularia and Ophiopogon Tea, Buddha's Hand Dew and Liuhe Tea have more advantages.

No, it's still not right!
What we are launching now are only medicinal teas suitable for spring. If someone plans to make medicinal teas, autumn and winter are the most critical periods. Products for these two seasons have not been launched yet.

What exactly do drilling companies want to do?
Tao Quan knew very well that the commercial street was opened at this time, and they were invited at this time, so these medicinal teas must be one of the baits thrown by the other party;

And if he guessed correctly, this street was full of baits, and whether you could see the value in them depended entirely on your knowledge.

For example, as a Cantonese, he can see the true value of these medicinal teas… For auxiliary medicinal drinks like these, whether they are effective or can meet the standards of the original recipe is not the most important thing; the most important thing is how to maintain the most basic health care effect and how to make the taste acceptable to the general public so that you can be the first to try it.

Otherwise, there are medicinal teas that are more effective than Eight Immortals Tea. Can’t you find them by just looking through ancient recipes?
However, he really couldn't understand why the drilling company would limit the efficacy of medicinal tea to those five categories and set up six medicinal tea shops, each of which would sell five completely different products.

Isn't this a waste of energy!?
As someone who often drinks herbal tea, he knows very well how time-consuming, energy-consuming and costly it is to improve a recipe.

Could it be...

Is it to test single product data?
Glancing at the growing crowd at the entrance of the herbal tea shop behind him, Tao Quan thought uncertainly...

………………

With more and more doubts in his mind, Tao Quan walked into a specialty snack shop absent-mindedly.

Just as Niu Wa said, this store with a signboard of "Changli Village Local Specialty Store" has dozens of commodities densely displayed, but behind each commodity there is a large label that details the cost and premium.

【Purple sweet potato cookies (non-halal)】

Specification: 25g±2g/piece.

Ingredients: wheat (43%), mountain purple sweet potato (42%), lard (8%), pea flour (6%), sugar, salt and pepper.

Chemical additives: No

Preservatives: None

Shelf life: 3 days (stored below 21°C)
Purchase cost: 0.65/kg
Price: 2 cents/piece or 1 yuan/kg (To avoid disputes, please keep the receipt and re-weigh at the market supervision booth)

Gross profit margin: 20%
Defective product rate: <0.002%
Whether it has passed the park quality inspection: Yes
Whether to join the park traceability system: Yes
Do you sign a price guarantee: Yes.

………………

To be honest, even though he was mentally prepared, Tao Quan still couldn't help but feel a little toothache when he saw the label.

People say that people in the north are simple and honest, but this is too honest!

As the general manager of a trading company, he could tell at a glance that the prices listed here couldn’t be more real... Not only were they real, but they also directly exposed the industry’s bottom line!

This is Shanchuan purple sweet potato, it is very expensive now!
The content of your Shanchuan purple sweet potato reaches 42%, and it is a finished product, but it is only sold for cents per kilogram?

Don’t even mention a 20% gross profit. Even if you say it’s only 2%, I will believe it!
TMD, it turns out that purple sweet potatoes are so cheap in their production area of ​​Qi and Lu?
I scanned the price of dried purple sweet potatoes not far away...8 yuan/kg, gross profit margin 17%
Thinking of the contract for dried purple sweet potatoes signed by his men at the end of last year, he almost broke his teeth... At the beginning, that bastard quoted a purchase price of 21 yuan per kilogram. Even based on the impossible drying rate of 1:10, the price of each kilogram of fresh purple sweet potatoes is as high as 2 yuan!

Damn it, I’ll sink that bastard into the sea to feed the fish when I get back. How dare he put his hand into my pocket? Isn’t he courting death?
With just one glance, Tao Quan understood why the drilling company only invited him and others to visit but did not make any additional requirements.

Damn it, this is clearly a direct sales store under the guise of a terminal store. Which boss can move away from this?

What’s even more frightening is that with the dual advantages of cost and quality assurance, the locals must be rushing here every day. It would be strange if this street is not crowded!
In the dual business ecosystem of B+C...

Tsk tsk~
Thinking of the commodity exchange centers behind this commercial street covering hundreds of acres and said to have several large warehouses, Tao Quan couldn't help but shudder...

Damn, if I’m not mistaken, the drilling company has quite big ambitions!
When Tao Quan thought of his own guess, he suddenly felt itchy and wanted to run to the commodity exchange center immediately to find out the situation.

But before he could take any action, a faint noise came from outside.

When Niu Wa heard the music, his eyes lit up immediately, and he immediately took Tao Quan's hand and ran out the door: "Hurry up, hurry up, Mr. Tao, don't you want to learn more about this place... Well, now is the best time!"

Tao Quan was startled, and vaguely heard the sound of a clapper. He immediately pulled his hand away without paying any attention: "I don't like listening to opera... that thing is not interesting."

He was eager to go to the commodity exchange center to see what was going on, so how could he have the mind to listen to those rustic Qilu Bangzi operas?

Niu Wa pouted: "Today is the first day for Manager Lu to host the show. If we are lucky, she might bring Section Chief Yang to the stage to perform for everyone. By the way, she might have some good news to announce... Such a rare opportunity, are you sure you don't want to go and listen?"

Section Chief Yang?
Although Tao Quan didn't know who Manager Lu was, he was stunned when he heard the name Section Chief Yang: "Is the Section Chief Yang you are talking about... Yang Mo?"

Niu Wa sighed, "Apart from Section Chief Yang Mo, who else in this area deserves to be called Section Chief Yang?"

Hearing this messy speech, Tao Quan's mouth twitched, and he said without any hesitation: "Let's go! Let's go and take a look!"

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PS: What a miserable life!

I have to update more before the exam, and there is a pile of homework waiting for me. Why don’t you cast your votes quickly to comfort me, a poor young man?

(End of this chapter)