Gu Xingdong's high-profile visit to the factory immediately stabilized the initially restless emotions of the employees.
"Price reduction is impossible. Our brand is basically mature, and our market positioning is very stable. If we sell at a low price now to clear inventory, this batch of goods is too large, and the results of our previous efforts may be ruined."
Nanhai Tao had also considered the problem Chen Lishu raised, but with less than two months until the New Year, it was clear that their current sales channels couldn't absorb over 300,000 items.
Moreover, merchants who were supposed to order had already stocked up. Who would take the risk to order more?
"If we don't sell at a discount now, these goods will accumulate after the New Year. It's not just a matter of money; the warehouse will also be occupied, and later storage will be a problem."
Clothing wasn't something that could just be left in storage. If not stored properly, moisture or fading could ruin the entire batch.
Zhao Xingwang added, "Also, the prices we sold to those customers before. If we sell at a lower wholesale price this time, it will be hard to explain to those customers."
Chen Lishu nodded, "I've thought of two solutions in the past two days. Let's discuss if they are feasible."
Zhao Xingwang, Nanhai Tao, and the others looked over, waiting for her to continue.
"Everyone outside knows we have a lot of inventory now and might be waiting for us to sell at a bargain. Since we don't want to deal with it that way, let's do the opposite."
Nanhai Tao asked, puzzled, "Do the opposite?"
Chen Lishu said, "Yes, we'll raise prices!"
Zhao Xingwang and the others thought they had misheard.
Zhao Xingwang: "Manager Chen, we've inquired with several partners, and their attitudes are not very clear. If we raise prices now, won't fewer people want them?"
Chen Lishu: "They are hesitating because they want to buy at rock bottom. Everyone outside is waiting for news, watching our next move."
"First, I want to increase the price by ten percent based on the original price."
"Ten percent?"
This time, not only Zhao Xingwang and Li Qiang were surprised, but even Nanhai Tao was somewhat incredulous.
"Ten percent? Isn't that too high?"
Being able to sell at cost price would be a blessing, yet they were talking about such a high price increase.
Chen Lishu smiled, "You must think I'm crazy. You'll understand when I finish speaking."
Then, Chen Lishu shared her other plan: "Let me tell you something you don't know yet. This year's Spring Festival Gala will be presented in a special way, with live broadcast, pioneering interaction with the audience, and nationwide participation."
Li Qiang asked, "Spring Festival Gala? What does that have to do with us?"
Chen Lishu: "I plan to go to Kyoto to discuss clothing sponsorship for the Spring Festival Gala. If this is successful, our Shu Se brand will definitely reach new heights. As the brand grows, shouldn't prices also be adjusted?"
Nanhai Tao and Zhao Xingwang's eyes lit up.
This idea was brilliant.
Zhao Xingwang: "But the Spring Festival Gala won't air until New Year's Eve. Our winter clothes will probably be out of season by then."
Nanhai Tao reacted faster and understood Chen Lishu's intention.
"We can appropriately release some news in advance. Sometimes, vague information can yield unexpected results more than precise news."
Chen Lishu: "That's exactly what I mean. If we just release news that clothing prices are going to increase, people will definitely inquire. We don't need to mention our plan for clothing sponsorship. I'm planning to go to Kyoto in the next few days, and people will naturally fill in the blanks."
Once people believe the factory is about to make a big move, someone will surely be unable to resist making a purchase.
After all, the saying "rare goods are valuable" has existed since ancient times.
With no other options, we have to take a risk.
...
Yang Lili finally managed to squeeze onto the village bus, her complexion not looking good.
The passenger volume before the New Year was already high, and with everyone carrying large bundles, there was hardly any room to stand.
The mix of various unpleasant smells with the pungent odor of diesel was almost nauseating.
What was most unbearable was that the bus leaked wind everywhere when it ran, and the village roads were rugged and bumpy, making the passengers feel like they were falling apart.
Yang Lili really couldn't understand how she had endured it during the holidays.
The bus only went to the commune; the remaining twenty or so miles had to be covered on foot.
She was lucky to meet a cart driver who agreed to give her a ride.
"Looking at your clothes, you must be from the big city, right? Visiting relatives?" the old man asked casually.
"Mmm," Yang Lili pulled her collar tighter, trying to hide her face in her scarf.
She had now established herself at the company and was capable of taking care of her daughter. This trip back was to fight for her daughter's custody.
After a long journey to the village, looking at the low thatched houses before her, a hint of mockery flashed in Yang Lili's eyes. The novel network.
Even if everyone else changed, men remained the same, just as incompetent.
Just as she was about to go in, a female voice suddenly came from behind, "Who are you looking for?"
Yang Lili turned her head and immediately recognized the girl as her daughter. She happily pulled down her scarf, revealing her face, and said, "Niu Niu, it's Mom."
Seeing that it was her, the girl walked directly into the house without a word.
"Niu Niu."
Yang Lili followed her inside, feeling her vision darken.
The house was low and dim. For her, who was accustomed to spacious and bright houses in the big city, it was a bit difficult to adapt.
"Niu'er, who is it?" an old woman's voice came from the room on the left. The girl reluctantly said, "Grandma, a passerby who came in to ask for some water."
Yang Lili felt very upset hearing her daughter call her a passerby.
"Niu Niu, I am clearly your mother. How could you say that? You're breaking my heart."
The girl gave a disdainful smile. "How strange, you have a heart? No matter what you're here for, I advise you to leave quickly. My dad and I don't want to see you, nor do we want any contact with you."
As they were talking, a man with a scruffy beard walked in. When he saw Yang Lili, his expression clearly froze.
"Why are you back?"
Yang Lili's gaze swept over his patched clothes, and she got straight to the point, "Tong Guoping, I'm back this time to take our daughter away."
"You left for almost two years without any news. Now you say you want to take me away? Have you asked my opinion?" the girl said, her eyes reddening, but she held back her tears.
"You seem to be living well?" Tong Guoping pointed to a stool not far away. "If you have something to say, sit down and talk."
Yang Lili looked at the dark stool surface but didn't move.
Tong Guoping smiled self-deprecatingly. "I forgot. You're a city person now, you can't stand our shabby place."