Chapter 720: 247, The Influence of Retail Industry_3
Sears Roebuck also used this reform to leapfrog A&P and ascend to the throne of the United States retail industry in the ’30s and ’40s.
“So you are eager to quickly establish a foothold in the retail industry, wanting to reduce more competition when launching such comprehensive supermarkets?”
Although Helen did not know the development status of comprehensive supermarkets, she still thought of Donnie’s intention at this time.
The convenience stores of Apollo Chain had to exist because of the presence of the horse club, so it was essential. If Donnie launched the comprehensive supermarkets later without having settled this side of things, they would have to fight on two fronts. By then, the pressure on Donnie would indeed be great!
Donnie nodded and said, “Exactly, and as long as we can complete the dual layout in convenience stores and comprehensive supermarkets, by then, we will essentially have control over the entire American retail industry.”
By then, with such channels, we could infiltrate multiple industries across America, and the impact would be no weaker than the influence of ABC.
Convenience stores, comprehensive supermarkets!
As long as these two industries could be established and become monopolistic enterprises nationwide, then tens of thousands of people would be working for Donnie by then, affecting the lives of nearly a million people.
At that time, Donnie would be a presence that no politician could ignore.
Helen nodded excitedly and said, “It seems that the battle with A&P indeed cannot stop!”
“James, what do you think about the content that was just on the radio?”
In a hotel suite in Manhattan, New York, John Hardford and the founder of Kraft Foods, James Cuff, were chatting.
To keep his actions secret, John Hardford did not invite James Cuff to the A&P headquarters but rather to a hotel.
They had just finished listening to a live broadcast about Apollo Chain’s lottery event on ABC.
James Cuff spoke calmly, “I have no particular thoughts; actually, I should thank Apollo Chain. In the past three days, their company’s sales for Kraft Foods have exceeded your company’s sales over four days! And keep in mind, your company has ten thousand stores!”
James Cuff naturally knew why John Hartford was meeting with him.
His heart was also inclined towards deeper cooperation with A&P, for A&P had more stores, a steadier volume of sales, and most importantly, Donnie Block’s Apollo Chain was already deeply tied up with Maholi’s Grain Empire Food Company.
James Cuff also worried that if Donnie Block’s Apollo Chain really defeated A&P, his days would certainly not be easy!
John Hartford understood James Cuff’s thoughts, but although it was John Hartford who initiated the contact, he also wanted to have more say in this cooperation.
“James, you only see your company’s sales increasing, but did you pay attention to the sales of the Grain Empire Food Company?”
James Cuff’s face slightly changed, and he asked John Hardford, “Do you know the internal data of Apollo Chain?”
John Hardford shook his head and said, “We naturally don’t know the internal sales data of Apollo Chain, but we can infer some based on the situation at the scene!”
Then, John Hardford took some photos out of his bag and placed them on the table.
James Cuff picked up the photos; his expression did not change much, even though the contents of the photos were not very friendly to him.
Firstly, one photo showed the product arrangement in an Apollo Chain store, where Grain Empire Food Company’s products were placed in the most conspicuous and easily accessible area, while Kraft Foods’ products were either on the top shelf, hard to reach, or at the very bottom, virtually unseen.
The second photo was of a group of people shopping, holding various snacks and food products, among which Grain Empire Food Company’s products made up the majority, while Kraft Foods’ snacks and foods were only a minority.
The content of the remaining photos was similar to these two.
The reason James Cuff did not show much expression about these circumstances was that he also had these photos; in fact, he had visited an Apollo Chain in Chicago himself during their opening.
The headquarters of Kraft Foods was located in Chicago!
In the headquarters of Kraft Foods, the product arrangement in Apollo Chain stores was actually not so glaring; but in other cities outside of Chicago… employees of Kraft Foods had also conducted on-site investigations.
So James Cuff was aware of this information.
“John, why don’t you show me the product arrangement in A&P stores?”
James Cuff put the photos aside, as his company’s people had visited Apollo Chain stores for inspections, they naturally had also visited A&P stores!
Indeed, in A&P stores, the merchandise of Grain Empire Food Company was placed in the most conspicuous places as well!
John Hartford, without any hint of embarrassment, simply smiled and said, “This is precisely the reason I invited you, James. If our companies could reach a deeper cooperation, then Kraft Foods’ products would naturally be in the most conspicuous places!”
James Cuff chuckled, “But how come I’ve heard that A&P’s management and board are not willing to change A&P’s current operating status?
Then, can’t I also doubt that the words you are saying, John, may not represent the decision of the entire A&P?” Thɪs chapter is updated by NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt