In the warehouse, the truck driver from yesterday had introduced his younger brother. Hearing Wen Ci say to just load the nylon bags directly onto the vehicle, he spoke up, “Boss Wen, I don’t think we should sell it like that.”
“Hmm?” Wen Ci blinked and asked, “What suggestion do you have, Second Brother Su?”
Second Brother Su said, “The market is different from the military compound. You need to display the clothes. Even though it’s eight yuan per jin, which is cheaper than department stores, ordinary folks need to see them displayed to be attracted.”
Hearing this, Wen Ci nodded in agreement.
An idea instantly formed in her mind. She had the workers help make two simple standing racks to hang the clothes, displaying each style for people to see.
The large nylon bags took up too much space, so she also asked the workers to open them up. All the clothes were sorted and folded neatly. To avoid getting the clothes dirty,
she bought bags from the neighboring warehouse at half a mao each to pack them in. This way, customers could just carry the bags home.
She was selling the latest styles from the South. This would also make people feel the price was justified. She was selling cheaper than department stores but offering a service similar to them, truly achieving good quality at a low price.
Wen Ci smiled broadly. “Second Brother Su, thank you for your suggestion.”
Second Brother Su scratched his head, took a blackboard from the cab, hung it on the truck’s railing, and pulled out a piece of chalk. “Boss Wen, you can also write the price on it, making it easier for people to see clearly how much the clothes cost.”
Second Brother Su was very thoughtful.
The sky was gradually getting lighter. Wen Ci rode with Second Brother Su to the East Market. Residents were already starting to come out to buy groceries.
The small truck parked by the roadside. Wen Ci asked, “Second Brother Su, have you had breakfast?”
“Yes, I have.”
Usually, the East Market had small vendors, with at most a cart. The appearance of the small truck attracted a lot of attention, and people gathered around.
“Selling clothes?”
“Aren’t those samples? The fabric of these clothes looks really expensive. I only brought a few yuan out, can’t afford it, can’t afford it.”
Wen Ci immediately responded: “It’s not expensive. My clothes are eight yuan per jin. The styles are newer than those in department stores, and the fabric is similar to department store clothes.”
“Why are they all winter clothes?”
Wen Ci explained: “Auntie, think about how expensive winter clothes are in department stores? Even if you don’t go to a department store, what about wholesale markets or having them tailor-made? Wouldn’t that cost over twenty yuan?”
Winter clothes were expensive, but everyone valued new clothes for the New Year, for happiness in the coming year, so people didn’t mind spending on thick clothes for the New Year.
“That makes sense. Can I feel the fabric?”
Wen Ci smiled: “Of course you can.”
The displayed clothes could not only be looked at but also allow the aunties to actually feel the fabric. Wen Ci picked up the scale, randomly grabbed a short-sleeved garment.
“Look at this piece, seven liang, five yuan and six mao.”
Then, Wen Ci took a thick winter garment and showed the scale reading openly to everyone. “This winter piece, 2.2 jin, seventeen yuan and six mao. If you bought this in a department store, wouldn’t it cost fifty or sixty yuan? Maybe even over a hundred.”
Some big-brand clothes in department stores were terribly expensive. That cashmere sweater Wen Ci bought in the department store back then cost over a hundred yuan per piece.
Wen Ci suddenly remembered something and called out loudly: “Because it’s my first day selling today, it’s only eight yuan per jin. Starting tomorrow, the price will increase to nine yuan.”
“Uncles and aunties, think about it. Isn’t nine yuan per jin still worth it? The most fashionable, latest styles from the South. They won’t be out of style even by New Year’s.”
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