The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 416 - 413 Completely Falling Out 1_1

The new store finally opened. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Business was slightly worse than expected. However, Yan Xixi and Xu Xiaoya remained confident. They focused on replenishing stock, organizing shelves, and studying why similar stores had better business than theirs.

The first week’s promotional activities were run at a loss to generate publicity, while the second week saw bleak business. However, from the third week onward, business improved by ten percent.

One Wednesday afternoon, the store was quiet. Yan Xixi was in her office checking the financial records. After a while, Xu Xiaoya walked in, flopped onto the desk, and said with a worried expression, "Ah, when we were involved with the first store, it felt so easy. We had a steady flow of regular customers without much effort. But now that we’re doing it ourselves, it’s so much harder. Xixi, I’ve estimated that we might not make much money in our first year."

The previous store’s success was due to Wan Donglin’s wide network, Yan Xixi mused. He had been selling top-tier luxury items, and many female customers in their circle had come to support him. Word had spread quickly, naturally driving up business. But this new store offered products that were a step down from top-tier luxury. The truly wealthy women wouldn’t come, while average female office workers would scrutinize the prices. Success wasn’t going to be that easy this time.

She was calmer than Xu Xiaoya. "It’s okay as long as we don’t lose money in the first year. As long as we ensure a stable supply of goods and good service, there shouldn’t be any major problems."

"Xixi, I’m not so worried about myself, but what about you? You quit your job with a monthly salary of thirty thousand to do this. If, after a year, you haven’t made as much as you did at your job, will it have been worth it?"

"You have to look at the long term, not the short term. If we make this work, our income will surely far exceed what we’d make from regular employment, won’t it?"

Xu Xiaoya smiled too. "That is true."

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Yan Xixi went out to inspect the store as per her habit. She liked to carefully observe how others arranged their products, their eye-catching new items, and the expressions and sales pitches used by sales assistants with customers. She had discovered an interesting phenomenon: it was best to patiently have customers try on various styles—if one didn’t work, then two, then three. Even if a customer seemed to have no intention of buying, it was still best to suggest a dozen or so items. After such a series of trials, she would invariably be captivated by at least one. Even if she didn’t purchase it then, she would often return to buy it later.

This was particularly true for women who dressed very plainly and appeared unassuming. If you treated them with great enthusiasm, the sales conversion rate was often higher than with women who looked glamorous.

She jotted down these observations and would bring them up for discussion in their regular meetings.

Returning from her store inspection today, she heard sounds of cheerful laughter and chatter even before she reached the entrance. The shop seemed unusually bustling.

As soon as she walked in, she was momentarily taken aback. Xu Xiaoya was carefully attending to two elderly women who were examining bags, pointing and gesturing as they commented.

"This display position isn’t good; it looks very tacky. Also, this bag style is too old. It would be better to replace it with another one..."

"There are very few people here. It’s so quiet. Aren’t you doing any promotional activities?"

With a smile, Xu Xiaoya replied, "Aunt Huang, we just opened and already ran a promotional event in our first week. For brand-name goods like ours, we can’t always have markdowns."

Aunt Huang was not convinced. "Without promotions, how can you attract customers? I’m also anxious. After all, my son’s hard-earned money is invested here."

All Xu Xiaoya could do was maintain her smile. Yan Xixi discreetly observed them. It was Aunt Huang—Huang Xiaojue’s mother—and her sister. Both were dressed opulently. They were continually instructing the store staff and, at times, lecturing Xu Xiaoya. Huang Xiaojue’s aunt, Aunt Huang’s sister, in particular, carried herself with an air of someone accustomed to luxury brands and was quite imperious.