The establishment of the Retail Alliance was smoother than expected.
On the afternoon of the 13th, another six companies chose to sign a memorandum of understanding.
In less than a day, a total of 19 retail companies chose to join Far away's community of interest.
Although the heads of Bailian, Suning, and Huarun were now in Pingchuan.
Their presence was not enough to change some things.
Online and offline, these few companies did not have any advantages. In terms of influence and fame, these few companies were not as big as the current Distance Arena. As for overall strength, Distance Arena was also better. Other than the fact that they did not have a government background, Distance Arena was completely superior.
However, it was not difficult for Far Away to obtain government backing.
If Li Dong was willing, he could sell part of his shares to the government at any time.
In the past, people might have thought that it was impossible.
But now, since Li Dong had done it once, why couldn't he do it again?
Therefore, many companies considered and finally chose to compromise.
Since Li Dong wanted to be the leader of the alliance, then they would grant him his wish.
As long as he did not take away from everyone's money and did not hinder them from making money, or even help them make more money, it was not intolerable to have a mother-in-law who did not care much about the business.
…
While the outside world was still speculating and discussing.
On the night of the 13th.
On the last night of the annual meeting, Li Dong secretly met with Hong Ji.
Lanshan Club.
Ever since Hsu Shengzhe took over the club and Golden Tripod Club closed for business, Li Dong would usually choose this place for activities and gatherings.
The purpose of Lanshan Club was not to make money and gather connections. In fact, it was only a place for Li Dong and Hsu Shengzhe to exercise.
Later on, many people wanted to join, so Lanshan Club was opened to the public.
Even so, there were very few people who could join Lanshan Club, and it was not open to non-acquaintances.
When Hong Ji arrived, there were only a few people in the club.
The huge club, although brightly lit, was extremely deserted.
Under the guidance of the staff, Hong Ji walked around and finally could not help but ask, "This is Lanshan Club? Didn't they say that General Manager Li and Chairman Xu often came over? Why is it so quiet? "
The staff said proudly, "This place is not open to the public. In the whole of Jiangbei, there are less than 30 people who can enter the club. Only very important guests, and with the approval of General Manager Li and Chairman Xu, were allowed to enter. Before Director Hong came, General Manager Li informed us in advance that the club is only open to Director Hong tonight. "
Hong Ji was speechless. "It is my honor."
A large club that covered an area of tens of acres was actually only open to him. These local tycoons of private enterprises were indeed rich and willful.
If it were a state-owned enterprise, even the head of a trillion-dollar state-owned enterprise wouldn't be able to do this, let alone 100 billion.
Even if he could do it, he would do it in secret, not daring to make it public.
But Lanshan Club was actually quite famous.
Now, it seemed that these guys really did not care about money. The entire club was more like their private living room.
Because they did not entertain others, there was no need for them to go to a private room.
The staff led Hong Ji to a medium-sized living room and lightly knocked on the door. Then, he gave Hong Ji a look and turned to leave.
In the living room, Li Dong was flipping through some documents.
When he heard Hong Ji's voice, he looked up and smiled. "Director Hong is here. Have a seat."
Hong Ji entered the room and found a place to sit down. He smiled. "General Manager Li really knows how to enjoy life. Today, I will bask in his glory and enjoy myself as well."
Li Dong laughed. "Enjoy? To be honest, to me, none of this means anything. If it wasn't for the inconvenience at home, I would have liked to chat with Director Hong at home. Only Hsu Shengzhe likes to come to this place to show off. I rarely come here. "
Hong Ji could not help but laugh. Then, he said in a serious tone, "Mr. Li …"
He was about to get to the point when Li Dong stood up and poured him a glass of red wine. He smiled and said, "This is Hsu Shengzhe's private collection. He even kept it from me. I dug it out myself. Have a taste. I really don't know much about red wine. If it's something good, we will destroy it tonight. "
Hong Ji couldn't help but look at the wine bottle. Then, he waved his hand and said, "General Manager Li is too polite. I don't know much about these things. Forget it."
Hong Ji was naturally modest. As the director of Huachuang, he had seen a lot of the world.
Looking at the wine bottle, Hong Ji knew that this glass of wine was worth tens of thousands.
Tens of thousands was actually nothing to them. It was just that it was Hsu Shengzhe's private collection. So, forget it, lest Hsu Shengzhe bore a grudge against him.
Li Dong ignored him and took a sip. Then, he smiled and said, "The taste is average. I don't understand your taste. Maybe I'm outdated. Forget it, the wine is here. Drink some if you want to. Otherwise, it will be a waste. Let's not talk about this. CEO Hong must be full of questions tonight. I just sent you away this morning, and now I secretly invite you here tonight. Are you surprised? "
Hong Ji chuckled and said, "Since General Manager Li asked me to come, there must be something he wants to tell me. Our two companies are still partners. Among the large retail companies, our relationship should be the closest. "
"That's true."
Li Dong laughed and lightly knocked on the sofa's armrest. After thinking for a while, he said, "Before we talk about the matter, I'd like to ask something that might be a little presumptuous. How much authority does CEO Hong have in Huachuang now?"
Hong Ji frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Headquarters doesn't interfere much in retail matters. Unless it's of great importance, Huachuang can make its own decisions. "
"So the last time you guys swapped places with some of Bailian's stores was also your idea? Or was it the opinion of Huachuang China's headquarters? "
Hong Ji thought for a moment and said, "We propose decisions, and headquarters supervise. As long as there are no illegal activities, headquarters will respect our decisions."
Li Dong smiled and said, "That's good. I was worried that CEO Hong couldn't make the decision. Everything I said tonight would have been in vain.
Now that it's just the two of us, I won't beat around the bush with you.
Far away, because we have cooperated with many companies, some of our stores have overlapped, and our resources have been wasted.
As for me, I want to close the doors, but I can't bear to.
After all, our cooperation with other companies is just a cooperation, not Distance's own industry.
But if we don't close the doors, other companies will feel that we are stealing their business.
I thought about it for a while. A company without competitors will not survive for long.
Since we have become a family, it's not good to compete with each other.
So I want to exchange some of our stores with Huachuang Real Estate. Of course, CEO Hong, the stores we want to exchange are located in first-tier cities, and the locations are excellent.
We will definitely make money, and if it wasn't to appease people, I would never sell them.
This is not a lie. CEO Hong will know when the time comes.
Because Huachuang Real Estate has cooperated with us, my first consideration is Huachuang Real Estate.
CEO Hong, do you think this is a good idea? "
Hong Ji frowned and said after a long while, "Exchange of properties?"
"Yes, talking about money hurts relationships. I don't want to invest in Huachuang Real Estate, and I don't want you to invest in me either. Instead of arguing with each other, it's better to be straightforward and exchange of equivalent value. Of course, I'm going to exchange some of the stores in the north. I will not sell the stores in the south. As for me, I want to exchange some of the stores in the south … "
"Impossible!"
Hong Ji did not wait for him to finish and shook his head. "General Manager Li, this won't work.
Let's not talk about whether your stores will help us or not. Even if they do, we will consider it carefully when it comes to assets.
Especially since Huachuang Real Estate is a state-owned enterprise, a little carelessness will cause a series of problems.
Exchanging with Bailian is because we are both state-owned enterprises, and some things can be avoided.
But exchanging with a private enterprise will definitely cause a lot of opposition, including the loss of some state-owned assets.
It's not that I don't want to, but even if you communicate with CEO Song now, the result will be the same.
Especially if you want to use the stores in the north to exchange for our properties in the south … "
Hong Ji laughed and did not explain further.
Although the northern market is not small, how can it be compared to the southern market?
The economic center of Hua Xia is not in the north, but in the south.
The core of Hua Chuang is not in the north, but in the south.
Isn't it digging their own grave to ask them to exchange the properties in the core area?
Hong Ji rejected quickly, but Li Dong laughed and said, "CEO Hong, why are you in such a hurry? I don't think I'm clear about what I said.
I don't want the coastal areas, and even if I want them, you won't give them to me.
I don't want the properties in the absolute south, like Lu Province, Yu Province, and other areas near Jiangbei. To be honest, you are no match for us at all, and there's no point in keeping them.
Also, in the Sunan area, since the demise of Su Guo, you guys have taken over, and you guys are barely holding on.
In the entire Sunan area, only Jinling has some advantages, and there is no profit margin in other areas.
If Huachuang Real Estate wants to develop in our core area, CEO Hong, ask yourself, is it possible?
In the past two years, the scale of your business in the north has been growing.
How many competitors do you have in the north?
Wumei and Dazhang are both giants in the north, but their combined strength is less than half of Far away's.
Competing with Far away or these two companies, which one has a higher chance of winning?
If we weaken our investment in the northern market, and Bailian is also consolidating the southern market, then it will be much easier for Huachuang Real Estate to continue to enter the northern market.
At most, we can just add Gao Xin.
But in the Hua Xia area, the possibility of expansion is too small.
CEO Hong should be clear about the current distribution of retail companies.
No matter how depressed the northern market is, it will still make money. After all, the market is there.
And I don't want the southernmost market … "
Li Dong was still talking, but Hong Ji was frowning and deep in thought.
After a while, when Li Dong finished, Hong Ji shook his head and said, "General Manager Li, it is not that I don't want to, but it is really difficult. After all, Huachuang is not a private company, especially with Far away, it must be coordinated by the government. Also, if we give up the business in Lu Province and the Sunan area, there will be a blank space in between us, which is not in line with our strategic goals. "
As he said that, Hong Ji's eyes showed a touch of doubt, and he asked, "General Manager Li, Far away has not reached the point where it cannot coexist with other companies, right? Weakening the investment in the northern market now is not in line with your style. Besides, even if you want to weaken the investment, I think the south is more suitable. After all, Far away has invested too much in the south, and there is more duplication of resources … "
Li Dong sneered and said, "I have no choice. The opponents in the north are too weak. It does not matter if I give up some, and I am not afraid of their counterattack. But the south is not good. There is a group of people waiting for me. If I give up now, I am afraid that you will immediately occupy the market, and it is not worth it. "
Hong Ji was speechless. This was true.
Gao Xin, China Resources, Bailian, Wal-Mart, including Ewu Shang and Suning, were mainly operating in the southern region.
The competition in the south was intense, and if it were him, he would also not choose to retreat in the south.
Therefore, even if Li Dong wanted to exchange for their businesses in the south, he would not agree.
Moreover, changing the stores was not as simple as changing the stores, and it was a lot more troublesome.
If the stores were changed, then other things would also have to change, including the distribution channels, employees, and even the stores would have to be refurbished, and there would be other areas to invest in.
This series of problems couldn't be solved just by changing a few stores.
The last time they exchanged with Bailian, there were not many stores, and both were state-owned enterprises, so it was okay to give in a little.
Far away also wanted to do the same, but Hong Ji felt that Li Dong was thinking too much.
Seeing Hong Ji's expression, Li Dong thought for a moment and said, "CEO Hong, do you think there is no chance?"
"It is not that there is no chance, but it is very difficult and troublesome. There are so many troubles, and it may even cost more resources than reopening the stores … "
"What if it is not a small scale? A large scale operation will allow you to establish a firm foothold in the north! "
Hong Ji's face changed, and he looked at Li Dong and said in a low voice, "General Manager Li is not joking, right?"
"What do you think?"
Hong Ji was shocked. He had always thought that Li Dong was talking about a small scale operation, a few or a dozen stores. This was not very meaningful for China Resources Resources to enter the northern market.
But if it was a large scale operation, it was a completely different story!
The north was dominated by Da Shang, Wumart, Far away, and China Resources Resources. If Li Dong retreated on a large scale, and Da Shang was located in the three northeastern provinces, the north would only have one competitor — Wumart!
As for Gao Xin and Wal-Mart, they were not as good as China Resources Resources. If China Resources Resources took over Far away, they would not be a match for China Resources Resources Resources.
Hong Ji took a deep breath and said, "General Manager Li, why?"
Yes, he could not understand why Li Dong would do this. The north was not very competitive, and with Far away's current scale, they could continue to expand.
Li Dong laughed and said, "The reason is very simple, to avoid arousing suspicion. I am getting married in June. Of course, I am still hesitating. CEO Hong, think about it yourself, but try to keep it a secret for me. It doesn't matter if it succeeds or not. I discussed it with Wumart this afternoon, and it might be more suitable. Actually, I don't want to do this, but I have too many things to do now. I really don't have the time and energy to waste on such a small matter. "
Hong Ji nodded and said, "Don't worry, if General Manager Li did not say anything about this, I will not spread it. Also, I would like to ask, is it the whole north or limited to one area? "
"Both are possible."
Li Dong explained, "It depends on the cost and benefit. If CEO Hong wants to give the whole south to us, then we can give the whole north to you. It is not impossible."
Hong Ji's face darkened. Nonsense!
We are giving up the whole south market, which we have been operating for many years, to manage the north market, which we have only been in for a few years.
As for Far away's negotiation with Wumart, he was not surprised.
If Li Dong really wanted to do this, he would definitely look for Wumart to negotiate.
Hong Ji was a little shaken. He had heard some rumors in the Association, and he had already guessed which market Li Dong was going to give up.
That was the Capital!
The north market was not as good as the south market, but it did not mean that the capital was the same.
As the most important market in the north, its influence and influence were not comparable to that of the central and southern regions.
It was an important city that could influence the whole north!
Far away's revenue from Beijing last year was 7 billion, which was equivalent to the turnover of one or two provinces in the central region.
It was equivalent to the scale of several provinces in the western region. Who would not be tempted by such a large scale industry?
If Huarun China could really take over this part of the industry, then the scale in the north would even exceed Wumart!
Hong Ji's mouth was dry, and he was a little scared.
Once Wumart took over Far away's industry, it would become the well-deserved hegemon in the north.
If Huarun China wanted to expand, it would be several times more difficult than before.
But did Wumart have the ability to take over?
To put it bluntly, Far away's industry in Beijing was worth more than a third of Wumart's value.
Coupled with other factors, it was possible that it could reach half of Wumart's value.
Where would Wumart get the ability to take over?
Unless …
Hong Ji thought of a possibility. Far away could be like other small and medium-sized enterprises, exchanging shares with Wumart and pulling Wumart into Far Away.
After all, Wumart's shares were more dispersed. If Li Dong really took over so many shares, Li Dong could become Wumart's biggest shareholder.
Would Wumart agree to this?
Hong Ji began to weigh the possibility. Although Wumart was still growing these few years, Far Away's market share had shrunk, and the founder was in jail, so its expansion was not as fast as it had been a few years ago.
If this continued, Wumart might follow in Suguo's footsteps.
At this time, Far Away was willing to cooperate, and the remaining founders of Wumart might not reject it.
And the founder of Wumart, Zhang Wenzhong, who was in jail, might not reject it either. After all, he was now in jail and had lost his right to speak.
Bringing in Far Away might be a way to check and balance the situation.
The more Hong Ji thought about it, the more his head hurt. He couldn't help but look at Li Dong. After a while, he said, "General Manager Li, actually, I feel that Far Away's actions might not be worth it."
He would rather Far Away continue to stay in Beijing than let Wumart expand to an unrivaled level.
Three companies coexisting was much better than one company dominating.
Li Dong smiled and said, "I think so too, but I am still considering it. If I don't get the benefits I want, then you can treat my words tonight as a joke. Also, after I leave this door, even if you tell others, I will not admit to it. At that time, I will still have to hold you responsible for spreading rumors. You didn't record it, right? "
Hong Ji's face darkened. Wasn't this guy afraid of being struck by lightning for saying such things?
Hong Ji was too lazy to continue the conversation. He thought for a moment and said, "General Manager Li, I still need to consider this matter. Moreover, at this point, it is no longer up to me to make the decision. If General Manager Li is really interested, you can come up with a specific proposal, and we can discuss it. But I suggest that General Manager Li don't make a hasty decision. This is not something that can be discussed overnight. Even Wumart's side is very complicated. I don't think it's slow to complete it in a year or two … "
Li Dong chuckled and said playfully, "Then forget it. I'll continue playing in the North. I'm a person who likes efficiency. Money is secondary. If I'm not satisfied with efficiency, then everything else is meaningless. Let's call it a night. If Huarun is interested, we can continue to talk later. If you are not interested, then forget it. CEO Hong, let's have a drink. Since we have opened it, don't leave any for Hsu Shengzhe. "
Hong Ji absent-mindedly picked up his glass and took a sip. At this time, he was not in the mood to taste any more expensive wine.
Li Dong had been acting strangely recently. His actions were often unexpected, and now he was even more worried than before.
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