Free Web NovelChapter 438: Chapter 438: The Competitor’s Doubt
Perfect Cosmetics Co., Ltd. was a highly renowned enterprise within the industry.
Its flagship product, Perfect Aloe Vera Gel, had always enjoyed stable sales and a considerable market share, backed by years of a stellar reputation and a national invention patent.
However, recent data reports had the company’s top executives on edge—the sales curve was showing an abnormal decline.
The atmosphere at the regular Monday morning meeting was exceptionally tense.
The head of the company, Tao Nan, wore a stern expression as his sharp gaze swept over the marketing manager.
"Marketing, what have you people been up to? Why have sales for the aloe vera gel suddenly plummeted?"
Tao Nan slammed his hand on the table. "Is there a problem with the product, or have you all been slacking off?!"
Sweat beaded on the marketing manager’s forehead as he hurriedly stood up. "President Tao, please calm down. We’ve already found the cause and were just about to report it to you."
"Then spit it out. Don’t just stand there hemming and hawing," Tao Nan urged impatiently.
The marketing manager didn’t dare to delay. He spoke quickly, "President Tao, it’s like this. A competitor has recently appeared on the market. Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory developed a new Aloe Vera Frost. They hired the popular star Ji Youyou and top-tier influencer Xiao Dong to promote and sell it. Their ads are everywhere, sales are excellent, and they’ve quickly eaten into our market share."
"Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory?"
Tao Nan frowned. He’d never heard that name in the cosmetics industry. "What’s a pharmaceutical factory doing, meddling in cosmetics? They should stick to their own business."
He shook his head in disdain. ’What kind of decent cosmetics could a pharmaceutical factory possibly make? The product is probably garbage.’
The marketing manager quickly added, "President Tao, you’re right. Our analysis suggests this is just a temporary craze. Once the hype from the celebrity and influencer endorsements dies down, consumers will discover the product doesn’t live up to its reputation, or that its effects aren’t as good as advertised. They’ll naturally come back to our Perfect Aloe Vera Gel. Our sales will return to normal then."
After hearing the marketing manager’s analysis, Tao Nan’s expression softened slightly.
It was true. Many companies hired celebrities and influencers to drive sales and cash in on trends, but the product’s intrinsic quality was what truly mattered in the end.
Just then, Feng Kong, the head of the Yuanjiang Perfect Aloe Vera Planting Base who was sitting in the corner, had an idea and spoke up. "President Tao, I just remembered something. About half a month ago, two people claiming to be from Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory came to our planting base wanting to buy our raw aloe vera. Their quality standards for the aloe vera were quite high, and they asked a lot of detailed questions."
"I didn’t sell to them, though. Our supply of raw materials for the Perfect Aloe Vera Gel has always been very stable, and all our aloe vera is for exclusive internal use. We never sell it to outside parties."
Upon hearing Feng Kong’s words, Tao Nan’s brow immediately unfurrowed, and a relieved smile spread across his face.
"So that’s what happened."
Tao Nan had an epiphany. "An Aloe Vera Frost rushed to production by a company that couldn’t even source its own raw aloe vera? How could it possibly compare to the quality and effectiveness of our Perfect Aloe Vera Gel? Manager Zhang was right. Once this manufactured hype dies down, Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory will naturally fade away. There’s no need for anyone to worry. Just keep doing your jobs."
The atmosphere in the conference room relaxed as well.
Tao Nan was utterly convinced by his own judgment. He believed Ding’s Aloe Frost was just a flash in the pan, fundamentally incapable of shaking Perfect Aloe Vera Gel’s leadership position in the market. freewebnovёl.ƈom
...
「Tokyo, Japan.」
Sun Qingshuang, weary from his travels, arrived at Matsumoto Pharmacy to meet his business partner, President Matsumoto.
The two had known each other for many years, collaborating seamlessly in the realm of international trade and building a deep, mutual trust.
"President Matsumoto, it’s been a while." freēwēbnovel.com
Sun Qingshuang greeted him warmly.
"Mr. Sun, welcome. You’re looking well today."
President Matsumoto replied with a smile.
After exchanging pleasantries, Sun Qingshuang got straight to the point, laying out the promotion plan for the Aloe Vera Frost.
He gave a detailed presentation on the Aloe Vera Frost’s outstanding benefits and its immense success in the domestic market.
President Matsumoto listened intently, nodding from time to time, his eyes revealing a keen interest.
The Japanese people’s devotion to makeup is world-renowned.
In Japan, nearly every woman on the street, regardless of age or profession, is accustomed to wearing makeup.
"A woman must wear makeup when she leaves the house" is practically common knowledge in Japanese society.
The concepts of "I’ll be a bother to society if I don’t wear makeup" and "I can’t even go to the convenience store downstairs without makeup" are deeply ingrained.
Makeup is not just about beauty; it is a form of respect for others, a social etiquette.
Consequently, Japan’s cosmetics market is both enormous and fiercely competitive.
But this also presents a tremendous business opportunity.
After carefully reviewing the Aloe Vera Frost’s product details and market potential, President Matsumoto agreed without a moment’s hesitation. "Mr. Sun, this Aloe Vera Frost sounds fantastic. We at Matsumoto Pharmacy have long been aware of the capabilities of Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory. I’m confident the Aloe Vera Frost will be a huge hit in the Japanese market."
Soon, through Matsumoto Pharmacy’s channels, the Aloe Vera Frost went on sale simultaneously at major drugstores and on online platforms throughout Japan.
...
「Osaka Station, in Japan’s Kansai Region.」
This massive space, constructed from steel and glass, resembled a modern work of art.
It was the busiest station in Western Japan for foot traffic. Every day, countless women passed through, heading somewhere or returning from somewhere else, with joy or perhaps challenges awaiting them.
Their steps were hurried, their eyes filled with either anticipation or exhaustion.
In a corner of Osaka Station, there was a shop composed of dozens of small cubicles.
At first glance, one might mistake it for a student study hall.
No, this was actually a self-service makeup lounge exclusively for women.
Each small cubicle was warmly and privately furnished, equipped with a mirror, lighting, power outlets, and makeup removal supplies.
For just 300 yen an hour, weary travelers and busy office workers could rent a cubicle to touch up their makeup, a chance to recover from the rigors of travel or a tiring day at work and face what lay ahead in their best condition.
The lounge was normally for women only, with no men allowed, ensuring a private space for its female clientele.
Today, a woman named Keiko was one of the lounge’s patrons.
She had traveled all the way from Tokushima Prefecture to Osaka on the bullet train to attend a good friend’s wedding.
The long journey had left her feeling a bit weary, and her makeup was slightly smudged.
Keiko entered the self-service makeup lounge and rented a cubicle.
She set down her luggage and sighed softly at her reflection in the mirror.
The strain of travel had made her skin look a bit dry and dull. Due to lack of sleep, a few fine lines had even appeared at the corners of her eyes.
"Looks like some serious repairs are in order," Keiko muttered to herself.
