Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 37 Unexpected
After the rare leisure time, Masato Takeshita started to get busy again. He wanted to take advantage of the favorable conditions of Japan's massive money-printing to realize the rise and expansion of the company as soon as possible, and he dared not stop for too long.

"It is indeed an era of rampant materialism and crazy consumerism. I didn't expect that this would be the best-selling product."

Masato Takeshita sat in his office, looking at the sales report in his hand, lamenting the madness of Japan at the moment.

Generally speaking, if a manufacturer sells high, medium and low-end products at the same time, the most popular ones will usually be the middle ones.

If it’s too expensive, it feels not worth it; if it’s too cheap, it feels unreliable.

It is human nature to like compromise.

As for what Mr. Lu Xun said, this is the inferiority of the Chinese people, and it is completely out of an inferiority complex.

Because of this inferiority complex, even when he knew he was being nominated for the Nobel Prize, he said directly that he and all Chinese writers were not worthy of it.

Mr. Lu Xun is completely self-deprecating.

His articles criticize current social ills, reveal an era, and speak out for a country.

Not only a match, but a very good match.

"I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it."

Masato Takeshita admitted that he made a mistake and completely misjudged the enthusiasm of the Japanese at that time. He thought that the mid-range brand Shuying and the low-end brand Linglong would become the main force in the suitcase market after they were launched.

The result is just the opposite. Fengya still leads the market in sales. The sales of Shuying and Linglong combined are only one-fifth of Fengya, and most of them are low-end Linglong.

He thought that Shuying, the main sales product, didn't sell much at all and even had an inventory backlog.

On one hand, the expensive Fengya suitcases are selling like hot cakes, with every one produced sold out. On the other hand, the more moderately priced Shuying suitcases are in overstock, with every five produced increasing the inventory by four.

There was indeed some black humor during Japan's bubble economy era.

"It seems that we can only make minor adjustments to the production line while actively expanding overseas markets."

Skilled workers have become the biggest constraint on Matsumoto's expansion. If there are enough skilled workers, Takeshita will definitely use all production lines to produce Fuya suitcases.

"I don't know if Michael's side is going smoothly."

The United States is in a special period of severe economic stagflation, and residents have little money. Only a small number of rich people will try Fengya suitcases, and most people will choose to buy Shuying and Linglong.

Especially the Shuying suitcases, which will definitely sell very well and will eliminate the inventory of Matsumoto Manufacturing.

While Masato Takeshita was thinking about Michael in Japan, Michael was preparing to visit the middle-level managers of major retailers and the heads of some small shopping malls one by one.

Michael's first stop was Sears, the largest retailer in the U.S. at the time. It was a century-old store with a glorious department store history.

It, along with another department store called Montgomery Ward, represented the American retail industry during this period.

"Oh, is this the little gadget you want to sell in our company? No problem, 50 yuan in claims deposit, 1 year settlement period."

Costa, the Los Angeles head of Sears, sat arrogantly on the sofa, smoking a cigar in his hand comfortably, and did not take Michael seriously at all.

If Michael didn't still have an identity with Citibank, he wouldn't even have met him.

As for the trolley suitcases,

He admitted that it was really nice and looked convenient, but so what, we are Sears, and everyone who comes here must abide by our rules.

"Well, our products are excellent, can't we relax the conditions?"

"That's the condition. This is the rule of our Sears. When you have figured it out, come back and find me."

Costa waved his hand dismissively, motioning Michael to leave as if to shoo away a fly.

"Well, okay, excuse me for bothering you."

Michael was a salesperson and was used to the arrogance of customers. Instead of saying anything harsh, he smiled and left politely.

After Michael left, Secretary Rudy asked tentatively in a low voice: "Manager, this trolley suitcase looks very interesting. Are you sure you don't want to consider it? If the sales are very good, it will all be your credit."

Costa glanced at his secretary lovingly and explained patiently, "The product is indeed very good and should sell well."

As the head of Sears in Los Angeles, Costa had a very sharp eye. When he saw the trolley suitcase for the first time, he knew it would be a hit.

"But you have to remember that I am only the head of Los Angeles. Above me are the head of California, the head of the western region, and the head of the whole country. Most of us have a common belief: we are Sears and we must have our own pride. We choose the products, not the products that choose us."

Many things are not that we don’t know, but that we cannot do them even though we know them.

As emerging retailers such as Walmart rose rapidly by offering various discounts, the market share of established retailers such as Sears began to decline.

Faced with this crisis, Sears internal staff showed contempt and hostility towards emerging retailers. They believed that emerging retailers had no morals and only knew how to engage in price wars. Good retailers should win by providing services, not cutting their own profits.

As a chain reaction, Sears gradually increased its control over merchandise, pursuing the goal that every product sold by Sears must have the most guaranteed brand value.

A deposit of $50 is the maximum amount Costa is entitled to.

As for his arrogant attitude, it was just his favorite way of exerting pressure. Many people could not stand the pressure and chose to agree to Sears' harsh conditions.

"Also, remember to clean it up and don't leave any trouble behind."

"Oh, I see, uncle."

Rudy knew that his taking of money was known, but he didn't care because similar situations had happened many times.

Michael naturally didn't know about the internal disputes at Sears. He left the gate and looked back at the luxuriously decorated department store, his heart filled with regret.

Sears was a place he had visited frequently since he was a child, and it held a special place in his heart. Unfortunately, the conditions were too harsh, and they were destined not to be together.

The next person, Montgomery Ward, showed almost the same expression and quickly turned Michael away.

If you don’t want your funds to be withheld for a year, then don’t even think about listing your product in our company.

“Should we go to those small shopping malls first?”

After being rejected by two giants in succession, Michael wanted to try a different approach.

Large retailers are too powerful and have absolute dominance over manufacturers. Small retailers are different, they are very flexible.

As long as you can help them make money, it doesn’t matter if you pay them monthly or even on the same day.

(End of this chapter)