Chapter 182 Invitation

Everything fell into place.

Although Yulia said "no" at first, this kind of reserve did not persist for long with Barron, a "veteran" in learning knowledge. Just like him, he became addicted to learning... …

In his exploration of knowledge, Barron also had to admire the miraculous craftsmanship of God's creation...

Until the next day, when Yulia woke up, she still couldn't help but feel shy when she thought about her studies last night. She said she still had work to do, and left Kallan Castle as if she was running away.

In July, the team sent by Argos to China brought back feedback on some manufacturing plants there. They agreed that some factories there could fully meet the requirements for product manufacturing under the Argos quality system, and therefore agreed with Barron's suggestions at the time. , the first batch of selected products will be selected. The Chinese factories they selected will become the first batch of cooperative suppliers of Argos. Under the quality control of their supervisors, they will produce Argos brand products and enter Argos stores for sale. .

If this batch of products is satisfactory enough, they will then carry out larger-scale authorized production in China.

After all, the cost of these products produced from China, even with shipping costs, is 40-60% lower than the current Argos similar products!

If you have any friends who have shopped at Tesco in China, they will find that their own brand products account for the vast majority of the supermarkets in Tesco shopping malls, and these Tesco's own brand products have good quality and low prices. Lower than similar well-known brands, this is a model of co-authored production with private brands similar to Argos.

There are many benefits to this approach, including its own brand, because they are deeply involved in the products and comply with their quality system, so the quality is more reassuring.

At the same time, because private-label products are not sold elsewhere, consumers will not compare prices. Relatively speaking, because they are directly involved in production, the profits left for retailers are higher.

Barron's positioning for Argos is to become the most cost-effective retail chain in the UK. After Puma Electronics' attempt to produce set-top boxes in China, he has basically determined to use the scale and cost advantages of China's "world factory" at this time to Occupy the market in England and even the entire Europe.

Of course, during this process, the quality of products from Huaxia's cooperative factories must be strictly controlled.

At this time, many Chinese products still have the inherent impression of "inferior quality" among consumers.

But as their products are used by consumers, in the process, as long as their quality is not much different from the quality of the products originally produced in England or Europe, then gradually consumers will accept Argos' "Made in China" .

It should be noted that what they accept is "Made in China" authorized by the Argos brand. This is enough. After all, Barron has no obligation to completely change other people's impressions of Huaxia products. These are all based on their overall quality and technical content. The transformation that comes naturally after doing the upgrade.

Just like the products of the original Japanese country, Europe and the United States also had the same "inferior" impression as Chinese products at that time. It was only after their industrial upgrading, especially after the quality of electronic products and automobile products improved, that they began to become "high-quality products". "of.

In addition, after Barron's acquired Argos, although both Duke's Selection Supermarket and Argos are chain retail companies, their positioning is different. Duke's Selection Supermarket's target customers are the high-end wealthy class, while Argos's It is an affordable retail store for ordinary people, so the two companies have not been merged into one group.

However, the two will not be merged in the retail business, but for logistics, warehousing and user-facing distribution business, both will be needed.

Therefore, another change after acquiring Argos is that they divested the logistics, warehousing and distribution business of Argos and Duke's Select Supermarkets, and established a separate logistics and distribution company called "Speed".

From then on, the related business of Argos and Duke's Select Supermarkets will be outsourced to Speed, allowing the company to focus all its energy on the logistics and distribution layout of the entire UK.

…

"This dear fellow's movements are really fast..."

Taking the beautifully printed invitation from Laura, Barron couldn't help but mutter to himself.

The initiator of this invitation was unexpected by Barron, but it was also reasonable.

In early July, a Russian became a popular figure in the British newspapers. Yes, Abramovich purchased Chelsea Club.

In this acquisition, Abramovich spent a total of 140 million pounds, of which 60 million pounds was used to acquire the team and 80 million pounds was used to repay Chelsea Club's previous debts.

Of course, Barron knows that this Russian tycoon, currently ranked 15th in the world according to Forbes, will invest more in Chelsea Club. It can be said that starting from Abramovich, he will burn money. Bringing the Premier League.

At this time, Barron held a corner of the invitation with one hand and flicked it gently with the other hand, making the invitation make a crisp sound.

Shortly after Abramovich acquired Chelsea, Barron received this invitation. The inviter was naturally Abramovich, inviting Barron to a mansion owned by Abramovich in London at this time, where he would host a banquet.

What Barron was thinking at this time was, should he accept this invitation?

In fact, not only when Abramovich completed the acquisition of Chelsea, even after he invested huge sums of money in this originally mediocre club to achieve outstanding results in the Premier League, most British people, especially The upper class society in England did not accept this "Russian oligarch".

Otherwise, it would not have happened that after a certain war broke out, many of Abramovich's assets, including Chelsea Club, were frozen and he was forced to sell the club.

In the eyes of the "gentlemen" in England, the purpose of Abramovich's purchase of many properties in London and his investment in Chelsea is nothing more than to seek asylum and avoid certain measures being taken against him by the Russian strongman. — just as it has been done to other oligarchs before.

Therefore, even though Abramovich holds an EU passport, has made many investments here, purchased many assets, and brought Chelsea to a position close to a "rich club", he is still not regarded as "one of our own" by the British society.

It is conceivable that Abramovich's invitation will not be able to invite many local people with a certain level of energy in England.

As for Barron, he has no prejudice against Abu, but he will not let him gain his "friendship" too easily.

Of course, as a "multilateralist" in England and he also owns a Premier League club, Barron decided to take a look.