While continuing development in Chapter 824, Lu Qingyang was also working diligently to advance the overall progress.
He discussed with Zhang Zhong: "Brother Zhang, let Gao and the others continue to work on the R&D side. We must catch up immediately with equipment debugging, bottle molds, and packaging design. My idea is to have our soda available in Beijing by June at the latest."
Zhang Zhong thought for a moment: "June? That's only a little over two months at most, time is tight. But, seizing the summer market is indeed key, soft drinks sell better when it gets hot."
“That’s right,” Lu Qingyang nodded. “Summer in Beijing can be unbearably hot and dry. We must get the refreshing bottles on the shelves of supply and marketing cooperatives and supermarkets before the first heat wave arrives. The name has been out for a while now, whetting everyone’s appetite. Now it’s up to us to get the product on the shelves in time.”
He further instructed: "You should focus on the final debugging of the production line and the procurement and storage of raw materials to ensure that once the final specifications are determined, we can immediately start mass production. We also need to speed up the bottle design and ordering. As for distribution channels, we should start with the large supply and marketing cooperatives in the city and the stores we have connections with, and gradually expand to the surrounding areas."
Zhang Zhong felt the urgency of time and understood Lu Qingyang's determination, so he immediately patted his chest and guaranteed:
"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything goes smoothly. I guarantee that as soon as the machine starts, the bottles will be ready and the goods will be shipped out!"
In early June, Beijing was just beginning to feel the approach of summer.
"Qingshuang" soda quietly appeared in the somewhat crowded glass counters of some supply and marketing cooperatives and stores.
The glass bottle with its simple and distinctive label stood out among the familiar faces, exuding a sense of awkwardness and freshness as a newcomer.
In the first few days, many people asked about it, but few actually bought it.
Everyone clutched their banknotes, suspiciously scrutinizing the newcomer, "Qingshuang," muttering, "That's a pretty cool name, how about 'Zhiwei'?"
Gradually, some bolder women, or those who were constantly pestered by their children, cautiously bought a bottle.
Unexpectedly, this taste brought some pleasant surprises.
"Hey, you know what, this soda tastes really good, not too pungent, and it's fizzy enough." At the entrance of the alley, several elderly women enjoying the cool evening air exchanged their thoughts.
“My picky son drinks this without asking for water to rinse his mouth, saying his mouth is sticky.”
The traditional orange flavor, in particular, quickly gained popularity thanks to its relatively familiar sweet and sour ratio.
However, the other two were not so lucky.
Lychee-flavored soda has received the most polarized reviews. Those who love it find its unique sweetness unprecedented and incredibly refreshing; while those who dislike it scoff, saying, "What a weird taste! It's so sweet and fragrant, it's like a fingertip of orange flavor!"
Lemon flavor is considered by some to be "sour but sweet enough", but it is favored by some young people for its unique refreshing taste.
The sales situation behind the counter directly reflects this kind of segmentation.
Often, a box of orange flavored drinks is quickly emptied, while the lychee and lemon flavors next to it are gone much more slowly.
What really gave Zhang Zhong a headache was the customers' tastes.
An elderly purchasing agent surnamed Wang, carrying an enamel mug with the Double Happiness logo, blew away the tea leaves and slowly said to Zhang Zhong, who had come to the door, "Manager Zhang, I'm only giving you face because of you. Who knows how long your new brand will last? The counter is only so big. If I display yours, where will everyone else put theirs? It's too risky."
He changed the subject, revealing a shrewd smile: "Of course, if you can be more flexible on the rebates, or the payment settlement cycle... hehe, that's negotiable."
Zhang Zhong knew perfectly well that this meant they were about to "use underhanded tactics".
He smiled and leaned closer, pulling two boxes of Daqianmen cigarettes from his drawer and expertly stuffing them into the opposite drawer: "You're a senior, very experienced. Our business is a bit tough at first. How about this: for the first batch, consider it an invitation for you and the staff of our supply and marketing cooperative to sample and evaluate it. We'll pay whatever we sell, and settling the bill is easy. Once everyone recognizes the brand and thinks it's acceptable, we can proceed according to the usual procedures. What do you think?"
His approach, which combined favors, promises of benefits, and a humble attitude, was surprisingly effective.
Several key supply and marketing cooperatives finally managed to free up a small, inconspicuous stall for "Qinshuang".
Zhang Zhong, clutching the latest sales reports, ran to Lu Qingyang's office, plopped down in a chair, grabbed a large gulp of cold boiled water from the table, and then began to complain, wiping his mouth:
"Qingyang, the market feedback is back, and it's quite different from what you expected. The orange flavor is selling the best, steadily, but the lychee and lemon flavors..."
He shook his head and pushed the report over. "You're moving really slowly. If you ask me, should we focus on our flagship product first? Make the orange flavor bigger and stronger, and just... well, let's just..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: he wanted to cut the profitable product line.
"Since there are people buying it, even if only 10% of them like it, it means the market exists. We can't block the road just because we're moving slowly. The tastes of young people today are the same as those of the older generation."
They crave novelty and uniqueness. Today they might find lychee strange, but tomorrow they'll surely love its distinctive sweetness. Lemon might seem too sour now, but when it gets warmer, they'll find it the perfect palate cleanser.
He turned around, his gaze carrying a profound depth that Zhang Zhong couldn't yet fully comprehend: "I'll stop you from cutting it. I'll let Gao and the others continue developing new flavors."
"Research and development?" Zhang Zhong's eyes widened. "They haven't even figured out how to market these two yet!"
“Yes, R&D.” Lu Qingyang’s tone was firm. “We need to seize the moment and occupy as many tracks as possible. Think about it, how many brands on the market can compete right now? Very few. But look ahead, when those foreign beverage giants realize this and rush in with their cola and all kinds of juices, what a scene that will be…”
He paused for a moment to dispel Zhang Zhong's possibility before continuing, "By then, if we only have one or two flavors, how can we compete with their dazzling array of product lines? They can offer more than ten flavors from just one brand! Every flavor we develop now, every market niche we capture, will give us more confidence in the future."
Zhang Zhong opened his mouth, but swallowed back the words "How much money must have been thrown in?" that were on his throat.
He scratched his head. Although he still felt a little uneasy, his past experience told him that listening to Lu Qingyang would most likely be a mistake.
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