The first day of the new store opening
Three days later.
This morning, Jian Jianan got up early because she had something important to do today.
But unexpectedly, even though she got up very early today, there were still people who got up earlier than her.
Jian Yangping had gotten up early and had breakfast. After washing up, he went out to set up the store.
My mother went to Jinhuiju Hotel early in the morning to handle matters big and small.
It was not surprising that his father got up so early, but what surprised Jian Jiabei even more was that even his brother Jian Jiabei did not lie in bed, but had already gotten up early and was now sitting in front of the dining table with a serious face waiting for him.
Jian Jianan was stunned. Why did she become the last one to get up in the family today?
Jian Jianan greeted her brother, and the two siblings started to have breakfast. After breakfast, they would go to the new store to help their father, although the two children could only do very little to help now.
At seven o'clock in the morning, at the intersection of several factories in Shekou.
People today suddenly find that places they are familiar with have undergone significant changes. For example, a new store has quietly opened on a street they are familiar with.
Originally they didn't care. After all, for workers who have to get up and go to work in winter, it is a blessing for them to have time to take a nap and rest. Why would they waste their time on these insignificant things that have nothing to do with them?
However, this new store was so eye-catching that the flower baskets at the door stretched across the entire street. They couldn't fit in the store itself, so they were even placed in front of other stores. There was a piece of paper on each flower basket with big words written on it: "Celebrating the opening of Shen Ya's new store." It was hard for others not to notice it!
People glanced into the newly opened store a few times, and probably noticed that it was a small store selling clothes, so they were no longer interested. What was new about selling clothes? At most, the styles were a little newer and the designs were a little better-looking.
But some sharp-eyed girls, who are usually spoiled by their families and don’t need to save money for household expenses, spend their own wages on themselves and their hobby is buying all kinds of clothes. They were surprised to find that the styles of clothes in this clothing store were things they had never seen before.
They decided to come and take a look after get off work at noon.
When Jian Jianan came to Shen Ya Clothing Store, Jian Yangping was already making final preparations for opening the store.
He was looking at every detail in the clothing store, where he had poured all his efforts, with the same expression as if he were looking at a rare treasure, for fear that he would not be liked by the public after the store opened for inspection.
Jian Yangping saw that there was still a wrinkle on a piece of clothing, so he hurriedly reached out and smoothed it out himself.
The next second, he hesitated, and saw that there was an empty hanger on the clothes rack on the other side. He immediately put the hanger away and adjusted the empty space to fill it with the full clothes.
Jian Jianan could see that his father was really nervous today, so he quickly went over to comfort him, "Master Designer Jian, the clothes you designed are so beautiful. Mom and I have tried them on, and Sister Xiaotao and the others said they are very good. You don't have to be so nervous. Just calm down and wait for people to come and buy them."
Jian Yangping smiled, trying to appear relaxed in front of his daughter, but his tense fingertips and arm muscles ready to strike showed his nervousness.
Jian Jiabei was also nonchalant, "Yes, yes, Dad, Nannan is right. Anyway, we have been preparing for this new store for so long. I think other people can only praise the clothes you designed. Don't be nervous today. Just wait in the store. Many people will come to buy soon!"
Jian Yangping opened a new store today. People who don't know the details might think that sending a flower basket is already a very grand event, but if he hadn't refused, Su Qinxuan would definitely arrange for someone to come and cut the ribbon with him.
Hearing his wife's words, Jian Yangping was stunned. "Someone is coming to cut the ribbon? No, no, there's no need. Why make such a big fuss? If no one comes to buy my clothes, won't it become a joke?"
He declined his wife's kindness, saying that there was no need for such a big fuss. He was just running a small clothing store and he was not worthy of it. If Su Qinxuan really wanted to give him a ribbon-cutting ceremony, he could save it for when he opened his second clothing store in the future and then find someone to come.
Jian Yangping's plan was just a temporary trade-off. He was also opening a second clothing store. The first one had just opened, and he didn't know what the prospects would be. However, Su Qinxuan was inexplicably confident, and even Jian Jianan nodded repeatedly beside him.
"Dad, you agree, right? You agree, right? Then it's settled. When you open your second clothing store, Mom will definitely bring people to your house to cut the ribbon. Don't refuse then!"
Jian Yangping pulled himself out of his memories and time returned to the present.
Shenya Clothing Store officially opened.
All of a sudden, firecrackers rang out and gongs and drums sounded, making this commercial street, which had been deserted for a long time, lively again.
The workers and young men who had already entered the factory and were working were very curious when they heard the sound outside.
They have heard this kind of sound a lot recently, so they know that it must be a new store opening on the street outside, but they don’t know how long this store can last?
Many people open new stores, but few can keep them open for long. Working here, they naturally witness the demise and rebirth of every small store. Just before Chinese New Year, the store before that clothing store opened a snack bar. Just after the Lunar New Year, less than a month later, that snack bar closed down due to poor management. How long can this clothing store called "Shen Ya" last?
"Shen Ya" is the name that Jian Yangping gave to his clothing store, which contains the two meanings of "Shenzhen" and "elegance". What Jian Yangping has never told others is that he actually has a lofty ideal in his heart to make it a local clothing brand in Shenzhen.
Jian Jianan didn't know about her father's ideal, but she knew that her father had been working hard for this store for so long and put in so much effort.
But fortunately, the result did not disappoint him. With so many novel styles of clothes, Jian Jianan was very sure that as long as someone was willing to walk into the store and take a look, they would definitely be reluctant to leave and be deeply attracted. It would be difficult for them to leave easily without buying a few clothes.
Jian Jianan had a good idea, but why was everything happening now completely different from what he had imagined?
Several people have been standing here for more than half an hour, and no one has come in. Even if they don’t buy clothes, it would be nice to come and take a look!
The smile on Jian Yangping's face was very forced. Jian Jianan had no doubt that if he hadn't been watching right next to him, the corner of his father's mouth would have dropped immediately.
His elder brother Jian Jiabei was also visibly getting impatient. He thought that his father had finally made up his mind to do something on his own. If this thing failed, it would be a huge blow to his father. It was obvious to the naked eye.
Shan Jiqing, who also came to help today, frowned and subconsciously wanted to come to Jian Jianan to comfort him. Unexpectedly, Jian Jianan raised his head blankly at him, not understanding what he was going to do.
Shan Jiqing smiled inexplicably. It seemed that no matter what time, the young boss of the Jian family, Nan Jian, was so reliable. His worries about her were always unnecessary. It seemed that there was no possibility of her failing.
When everyone in the room was silent, it was Jian Jianan who came forward to comfort them.
"Everyone, don't be sad or upset. Just cheer up. We chose this shop because it's located at the intersection of several factories. We figured the people working nearby are all young women and men, and they're the group most likely to spend money on clothes. But you also have to consider their current situation. Aren't they working right now? How can they have time to go out and buy clothes? Don't they usually have to wait until they get off work to go out and buy clothes?"
I have to say that Jian Jianan's words were very convincing. When everyone thought about what she said, they immediately felt that it made sense.
That's the truth. Isn't it normal that no one comes to the store? Everyone is at work. Won't someone come to buy after they get off work?
"Hey, hey, hey, someone's here, she's coming, she's coming!"
Jian Jianan noticed that someone interested came to the store and immediately informed the people in the store.
The employees and family members immediately got on high alert, waiting for the guests to arrive.
Who would have thought that the first customer to Shen Ya Clothing would be an elderly lady? Looking at her clothes, it was obvious that they were carefully matched. Although her hair was all white, she still tied it into a bun elegantly at the back of her head. She was obviously the kind of tasteful old person who liked to dress up when she was young and still persisted in her pursuit of style even when she was old.
Since she is such a tasteful old lady, it is not surprising that she was attracted to Shen Ya.
The old man walked into the store and started looking around. The clothes hanging at the door were all suitable for women in their teens and twenties. Seeing this obviously elderly woman come in, he couldn't help but feel a little flustered. If the clothes at the door didn't suit her, she would have to choose from inside.
The sweet-talking salesman immediately approached the elderly woman and asked her, "Ma'am, would you like me to pick out some clothes for you? Don't worry, I've been rigorously trained and I guarantee they'll suit you."
The old man nodded indifferently, and Aija immediately started picking out clothes.
When Jian Yangping opened the Shen Ya clothing store, he originally planned to keep everything simple. In other words, the more money he saved, the better. After all, it was the family's money, and he couldn't be too extravagant.
He was the only employee originally planned, and at most his son and daughter who had time to help. However, Jian Jianan told him very seriously that in addition to the store manager, salesmen were still very necessary. The salesmen in a clothing store were equivalent to the waiters in the North-South Hotel. It may not be obvious now, but when special opportunities arise, the role of a good salesman is very important.
After thinking about it, Jian Yangping accepted his daughter's suggestion and hired two very smart salesmen, one of whom was Ai Jia.
Before taking up the job, Ai Jia received a brief but very professional training from Jian Yangping. She learned that everyone is a human being, but has different body shapes, and different clothes are suitable for each person's body and mind. She also learned the different categories of clothes. Although these clothes are hung one by one in the store, there is a dazzling array of them, but Ai Jia can tell which clothes are most suitable for the elderly person in front of her after just a few glances.
The old lady is old and is not suitable for those delicate clothing styles, but fortunately Jian Yangping is thoughtful. He positioned the Shen Ya Clothing Store to serve ladies of all ages. Therefore, the store not only has a variety of lively and bold dresses, but also elegant suits that are obviously suitable for older ladies.
Aijia immediately picked out a red suit for the old man.
"The Chinese New Year just passed, and the red lanterns on the streets haven't been completely taken down yet. We need some festive colors to best suit the New Year atmosphere. Try this outfit. I think it suits you very well."
Aijia picked a red suit. The top and bottom were matched long ago, and the set was the most harmonious. The coat also had a small waist design, and the skirt was straight, which made the legs look straight. The old man in front of her had a thin figure, so this kind of clothes was the most suitable for her.
And although it is red, it is not that kind of bright rose red nor that kind of old-fashioned bright red, but the most majestic yet dignified bright red bean.
Aijia had a hunch that the old man would definitely like it.
As expected, when the old man saw the clothes, his expressionless face suddenly lit up, and he immediately took it from Ye Cang's hand and looked at it carefully.
Aijia was very nervous. She felt that everyone in the store was looking at her, and she didn't know if the deal would go through. If the old man was willing to buy the clothes, it would be the first piece of clothing sold since the store opened, which was of great significance.
The old lady shook out the clothes and compared them on herself. After a long moment, she raised her head and asked Ai Jia calmly, "How much?"
Ai Jia calmly and professionally replied, "Fifty yuan."
The old man nodded, "That's okay."
Ai Jia closed her eyes and added, "The suit jacket is fifty yuan, and if you want a skirt, that's another thirty yuan, so the whole set is eighty yuan."
The price of clothes was also a point of disagreement among them. Jian Jiabei felt that his father's clothes were very good, with beautiful and novel styles, some of which he had never seen before, and the fabrics were also of high quality, with absolutely no cutting corners. However, the price of these clothes was too expensive!
You know, in this day and age, even the highest-level workers only earn fifty or sixty yuan a month, but now this set of clothes costs eighty yuan, which is equivalent to a month's salary for an ordinary family. When everyone first heard the price, they couldn't help but be shocked. It's too expensive!
But Jian Yangping insisted on not lowering the price. His Shen Ya is a boutique product, and all of it is good stuff, unlike other cheap products on the market. He doesn't want to sell it at a low price!
Jian Jianan was one of the only two people who agreed not to lower the price. She thought that since her father didn't want to go the mass market route and insisted on going the boutique route, that was also fine.
The materials that Jian Yangping found were all high-quality materials that he put a lot of effort into. They were completely different from the Dacron on the market. They were high-quality fabrics that he found with great difficulty.
In addition, all of his clothing styles were improved by himself according to the drawings. He can be sure that no one can produce the same style as his.
Every piece of clothing hanging in his shop is carefully selected, and he can guarantee that you will never find the same clothes in other stores on the market.
Ai Jia racked her brains to sell the old man: "You can feel our clothes, the material is very comfortable, all made of the best fabric. Although the price is a little high, a good suit of clothes can be worn for several years. Good clothes can be kept for seven or eight years without any problem. If you calculate it this way, doesn't this dress only cost five yuan a year?"
"Think about it, isn't that the truth?"
I have to say that Jian Jianan's suggestion is correct. Salesmen are indeed very important. Ai Jia is a good speaker. Even Jian Jianan, who was just listening at the side, couldn't help but be tempted at this moment.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the old woman in front of them to make a decision. Would she buy it, or would she refuse because it was too expensive? If she didn't buy it, it would be a huge blow. If she did, it would be a good start...
"Okay, that makes sense. Please pack it for me. I'll go buy some groceries first and come back to get it later."
The old man said this lightly and left.
Buying groceries?
Oh right! How could they forget this? There are not only several factories nearby, but also many vegetable markets. It seems that this old man is one of those who got up early to buy vegetables.
Although she said this, it is still unknown whether she will come back after buying vegetables.
Everyone was eagerly waiting, not knowing whether the old man's words "I'll buy more after I buy the vegetables" were true or just a shameless refusal due to the high prices.
After this old lady, several aunts who came to buy vegetables came to visit one after another.
Their eyes lit up as soon as they arrived, and Jian Jianan knew at a glance that they must like it very much. Their eyes were glued to the clothes. If they didn't want to bargain later, they would definitely not be so reserved.
Although many people like it, after such a long time, they still haven't opened and no one has placed an order.
The reason is simple: it is too expensive, beyond the expectations of the customers who come to the store.
"Oh my, oh my, can you make it cheaper? I'll buy it if it's cheaper!"
"No, Auntie, I really can't do it anymore. This is the lowest price. If the price is any lower, our boss will not make any profit. This price is really a good deal. If you don't believe me, just touch the material. It can't be any lower. Besides, if the price is any lower, would you feel at ease to buy it?"
That's what they said, but once these aunts heard what Ai Jia said, they would clearly mark the price and the price could not be lowered any further, so they would turn around and leave immediately without any reluctance.
"Hey! Such expensive clothes, I want to see who will buy them!" She would never buy them anyway. It would be better to wait until the store goes bankrupt and clears out its inventory before buying them at a huge discount.
After being told such harsh words in person, even the professional and well-mannered Ai Jia felt a little embarrassed, not to mention the impulsive and irritable Jian Jiabei, who almost wanted to roll up his sleeves and have a big fight with these aunts.
However, just when everyone was feeling discouraged and even Jian Yangping was constantly calculating in his mind how much money they had invested in this store and how they would make back such a huge sum of money if they lost it, the old man finally came back from the vegetable market.
"Hey? Is that set of clothes still left for me?" she asked.
The old man was pulling a small cart filled with various green vegetables, with several particularly long onions sticking out, attracting attention.
But even so, her back remained straight, as if nothing could make her give in.
Ai Jia was stunned for a moment. She thought that what the old lady said before were just polite words, and that going to buy vegetables was just an excuse and she would never come back after leaving. She didn't expect that she actually kept her promise and came back after buying vegetables.
Jian Jianan was the quickest to react. He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Of course, of course, I'll keep it for you. Look at that dress, grandma. Isn't it hanging there nicely?"
The old man was very satisfied and ordered directly: "Okay, just wrap it up for me and give me another bag to put it in."
Aijia finally reacted at this time. She took a step forward and tried to find a bag for her with her excitement. She was in a hurry and still couldn't believe it. She had been standing there for so long and thought she would have to continue standing there and waiting. Unexpectedly, the first order finally came!
Jian Jianan observed the old man's temperament and felt that he did not seem like an ordinary person. He seemed like someone who had been raised in luxury since childhood. However, it was unlikely that an old man from a wealthy family would come out to buy groceries by himself at such an old age.
Not sure, let’s see.
The old man paid the money and took the clothes in his hand, with a thousand thoughts in his eyes, as if he saw his carefree childhood through the clothes.
The subsequent hardships and injustices seemed to have passed. She has now been rehabilitated by the organization and is living a life that she could not even imagine a few years ago, a luxurious life that only normal people can have.
As soon as she saw this dress, she immediately thought of her youth. At that time, she was like a flower. Her biggest worry every day was what to wear and which top and bottom would be the most suitable. How could she have anticipated the hardships she would face in the future?
Before leaving, the old man couldn't help but turned around, his eyes landing on Jian Jianan with incredible accuracy, and told her: "Do your best, okay? Don't be afraid of selling it at a high price. As long as your quality is up to standard and the styles are novel, there's no problem. You won't have to worry about it not selling well."
What can I say about what this old lady said? If Jian Jianan hadn’t seen that she was still holding the bag of clothes she had just bought, she would have thought that some leader had come to inspect!
Jian Jianan nodded and agreed seriously.
The old lady's words gave everyone in Shenya Clothing a boost of confidence. They straightened their backs, their previous gloom swept away. It was obvious at a glance that the old lady had great taste. With her words, how could their clothes be any worse? Business must be good. All they had to do was wait!
Jian Jianan still looked calm and composed, but she looked at her watch every few minutes, revealing her anxiety.
"Lingling! Dinglingling——"
Suddenly, just as several people were anxiously waiting for the next customer to arrive, the ringing of bells rang throughout the street.
It turned out that it was noon when I got off work.
These factories all have the same working hours and upon hearing the bell, everyone became fully prepared and alert.
Originally, everyone was full of confidence in Shen Ya Clothing Store, but they hadn't opened for business and hadn't made many sales in the entire morning. If the old man hadn't encouraged them before leaving, Jian Jianan would have suspected that his father would have found a place where no one else could see him and cried secretly.
Fortunately, with the encouragement of the old man, the other people in Shen Ya Clothing Store rekindled their confidence and waited for the very likely arrival of the crowds.
As expected, as soon as the factory bell rang for the end of get off work at noon, Senya Clothing Store welcomed several customers. They were all curious little girls. After getting off work and walking out of the factory gate, they saw a new store opened here, and it was a clothing store. They immediately walked over with great interest to check it out.
Aija and another salesperson each did their job and immediately took action, following these customers to see if they needed anything. If they were interested in buying, they would take action immediately.
Deng Bitong is one of the potential customers. She is 24 years old and is at the age when she loves beauty very much. Most of her monthly salary is spent on buying various skin care products and clothes.
As she bought more, she became more discerning. The common styles on the market could no longer satisfy her. Deng Bitong has been looking for new clothes of other styles recently, especially those in magazines, which she likes the most.
Originally, she had no interest in entering Shen Ya Clothing Store. She just thought it was a newly opened store. She had no other place to go at noon anyway, so it would be okay to take a look at it to kill time.
However, as soon as she stepped in, she discovered that there was a different world here. The clothes hanging here were all styles that she, a veteran, had never seen before, which made her touch the clothes eagerly.
Jian Jianan gave Ai Jia a wink, and Ai Jia immediately stepped forward to introduce Deng Bitong after receiving the instruction.
"Do you see any clothes you like? If you like them, you can try them on. We have a mirror over there. You can also go over and see if the clothes fit you and what they will look like on you."
Deng Bitong's eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up the dress and tried it on herself. She walked straight to the dressing mirror and looked at herself in the mirror in a very conceited manner.
The idea of installing fitting mirrors in the store was learned from Hong Kong. Jian Yangping and Su Qinxuan also agreed with Jian Jianan's idea. At least they should let people try the clothes on themselves to know whether they fit.
It’s a pity that the store is not big and there is no way to find another space to install a fitting room.
Deng Bitong was holding up a long-sleeved dress. She owned many, but none quite like this one. The colors were vibrant and the shape was something she'd never seen before. The blue fabric was dotted with colorful polka dots, giving it a lively look. She held it up in front of the mirror and could already imagine how striking it would look on her.
"How much is this?" Deng Bitong was very satisfied and turned to ask Ai Jia.
Aijia flipped through the label on the dress, looked up, and replied with a smile, "Two dollars."
Deng Bitong's frown relaxed a little. The price was a few dollars lower than she had imagined, which was a more suitable price for her.
Jian Jianan stood at the door of the store and took in the expression on Deng Bitong's face.
Jian Yangping originally planned to turn the Senya Clothing Store into a high-end line, meaning that it would only sell high-end clothing, using the best materials and so on, and the prices would naturally be the highest.
However, Jian Jianan has a different opinion on this. She thinks that since her father has decided to open the store in this location, he should first figure out who the target group is, which is of course the group of young girls who love beauty and are willing to spend money on it.
Although girls of this age are willing to spend money on beauty, they are young after all and don’t have much money. If every piece of clothing is priced at fifty yuan, it is very likely that they will not be attracted at all, and sales will not be boosted.
Therefore, Jian Jianan feels that since there must be a high-end line, there must also be a mid-range line. Although it is January now, the winter in Guangdong Province lasts very short, and it will be spring and summer soon. The summer in Guangdong Province can account for two-thirds of the year, so those who make clothes must plan well for the summer.
It is common knowledge that summer clothes are much cheaper than winter clothes because of the fabric and cut.
Under his daughter's persuasion, Jian Yangping gave up his decision to use the best fabrics for all his clothes, but he would not pass off inferior products as good ones. Instead, he chose medium-quality fabrics on the market and focused on the style.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Deng Bitong was impressed by this dress designed by Jian Yangping herself.
Deng Bitong nodded and immediately decided to place an order to buy it back.
Ai Jia was already familiar with this task. After taking the money, she immediately helped Deng Bitong put the clothes in a bag and handed it to her.
Jian Jianan stood at the door and watched Deng Bitong's back getting farther and farther away. Now they had no idea how much influence this person who looked like an ordinary girl who loved beauty would have on their business in the future.
It is said that "everything is difficult at the beginning", and these five words are not wrong when applied to their clothing store.
The morning after the opening was indeed very difficult to endure, but there was the kind and encouraging old lady before, and now there was Deng Bitong. After Deng Bitong left, several female workers who had eaten their fill came into the store, took a look, picked out cheap skirts or tops and placed orders.
This made everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shen Ya Clothing Store would not lose all its money on the first day of opening, and they could finally save face.
However, with only three or five pieces of clothing sold, there is still a long way to go before I can recoup my investment.
Soon, the afternoon work bell rang again, and the streets became empty again. Shan Jiqing walked over to Jian Jianan to comfort her, but saw that there was no confusion or frustration on her friend's face.
On the contrary, she was eager to try.
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and get ready! They'll be off work in five hours!"
Jian Jianan is ambitious and has made up his mind to do something big in the evening!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
