Let’s not talk about abstract things – common people are practical. They’ll buy wherever the same goods are cheaper!

For TVs and washing machines, there weren’t many choices anyway. They all served the same functions – watching TV or washing clothes would suffice. Unlike clothing, which emphasized style.

When Shangdu Department Store previously ran their big discount promotion, they sold TVs originally priced at 2,200 yuan for just 1,780 yuan. This price brought no profit and even resulted in some losses. Shangdu Department Store stocked 50 units daily, and they could bear such small losses.

But selling at Asia’s prices meant losing nearly 500 yuan per unit. With 50 units daily, that meant losing 25,000 yuan! And this was just TVs. Other appliances were similar. All told, Shangdu Department Store would need to prepare for daily losses of nearly 100,000 yuan to compete head-on with Asia!

Moreover, Asia had more appliances available for promotions than Shangdu. Taking TVs as an example again, while Shangdu promoted 50 units, Asia offered 100 units on the first day – a clear display of the Hong Kong investors’ deep pockets.

As the managers discussed back and forth, Lu Hongbo grew irritated:

“Even if Asia can handle daily losses of 100,000 yuan, do they have enough stock? Today’s appliance sales nearly cleared out their inventory. When customers go to Asia tomorrow and can’t buy TVs and other appliances, they’ll surely cause trouble!”

Once customers started making trouble, they could seize the opportunity to escalate conflicts and make things worse. The state-owned stores couldn’t replicate Asia’s shopping card cashback promotion, but destruction was always easier than construction. They could…

Lu Hongbo’s thoughts mirrored those of the other managers.

One couldn’t say they were evil – they just had different positions and were looking out for their stores. Since they’d already shown their true colors, there was no need to be subtle anymore. The methods didn’t matter as long as they achieved their goal!

Asia’s cashback promotion exceeded everyone’s expectations, turning their assured victory into uncertainty. When Lu Hongbo mentioned Asia’s lack of stock, one manager expressed doubt:

“If Asia didn’t have sufficient stock, would they dare put out so many appliances on the first day? Not just appliances, but other goods too – they sold quite a lot today… Could it be that those suppliers agreed to cut off Asia’s supply on the surface, but secretly continued supplying them, putting on a show to lower our guard!”

This was certainly possible.

The suppliers had only cut off Asia’s supply a few days ago, and it wouldn’t be easy for Asia to find new sources in such a short time. Those suppliers monopolized the entire South Henan region – unless Asia contacted sources from other provinces.

Lu Hongbo checked his watch – it was already past midnight. Calling anyone at this hour would be extremely impolite.

But given the gravity of the situation, Lu Hongbo couldn’t care about politeness.

He was known for his hot temper, and the suppliers were well aware of this.

So Lu Hongbo immediately called several suppliers, demanding they come over!

What could the suppliers say? They asked for the address and said they’d come quickly, but cursed profusely after hanging up.

One supplier was so angry he smashed his phone:

“Does Lu think he’s somebody important, treating us like dogs he can summon at will?”

His wife was also unhappy, having been woken from her warm bed in winter: “These general managers are hard to serve!”

Indeed they were difficult to serve – they thought they had power!

When the state-owned stores wanted to suppress Asia, what did it have to do with them as suppliers? Yet they were forced to stop supplying Asia. Although the major suppliers had agreed to this unreasonable demand under pressure, none of them were happy about it.

Being able to supply the entire South Henan province, these suppliers weren’t mere ten thousand yuan households or ordinary people.

Who didn’t have some backing?

After the major state-owned department stores allied, their general managers became extremely arrogant, seeing themselves as emperors of Shangdu’s retail industry.

Being called from bed in the middle of the night, driving to Lu Hongbo’s location, only to face questioning – one supplier immediately exploded:

“Manager Lu, we were initially hesitant about cutting off Asia’s supply because it went against our business principles. Who would complain about making too much money? But you kept insisting, and considering our years of relationship, we still cut off Asia’s supply… We took such extreme measures, and you still suspect us?”

This business had become truly meaningless!

They followed Lu Hongbo’s demands yet were still doubted.

Since their conversation with Asia’s Manager Xia, they had truly cut off supplies to Asia, even settling all previous accounts – a complete severance of relations. Why were they being wrongly accused?!

They didn’t want to serve anymore.

Hearing that Asia’s promotion today was quite successful, perhaps they should reconnect with Asia and supply both sides. Then Lu Hongbo and his people would have something to fear!

Lu Hongbo’s face darkened at being publicly contradicted. A state-owned store manager quickly tried to smooth things over:

“Everyone, let’s all take a step back. It’s normal to have doubts, we just need to clear things up! Don’t let this escalate into real anger – it’s not worth it. We have a symbiotic relationship – stores need supplies, and you need channels.”

None of the major suppliers spoke.

Nobody felt guilty – they truly hadn’t supplied Asia.

Now Lu Hongbo was worried:

“Then Asia must have found new, stable supply sources.”

For a moment, Lu Hongbo felt lost, unable to see the way forward.

When they cut prices, Asia lay low for two months, then launched their shopping card cashback promotion.

When they cut off Asia’s supply, Asia quickly found new sources.

If new sources were so easy to find, Shangdu’s supply wouldn’t be monopolized by these major suppliers… So how did Asia manage this in such a short time?

Lu Hongbo’s assessment diverted the suppliers’ attention from their anger:

“Manager Lu, is what you’re saying true?”

“Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know tomorrow by seeing how much merchandise Asia can sell. You know best how much stock they took from you before and how much inventory they should have!”

Lu Hongbo’s words made the suppliers exchange glances.

If Asia had found new sources, it would be terrible for them.

It meant their monopoly in Shangdu would be broken. These major suppliers had an unspoken agreement about wholesale prices… If Asia found other channels, they would no longer control the market.

The suppliers felt conflicted – could they blame Asia for this?

Asia was just trying to survive – they would have gone bankrupt without new sources.

It seemed they should blame Lu Hongbo and the others instead!