The combined power of these three group-buying websites was considerable.
They invited more than half of the leading domestic chain enterprises, and even the least prominent ones sent a regional manager.
"Qin Jie, what's our task today?"
Among the "Three Golden Flowers," Qin Suqin was the oldest and Ge Mengshi's best friend, so Zhu Yuanlan always called her Qin Jie.
"General Manager Ge said, just listen. If they ask us to sign any agreement, just say we'll consider it, no matter how much they praise it to the skies."
Currently, the three famous brands under Zhizhen Catering enjoy considerable popularity nationwide and do not need to rely on group-buying platforms like small catering brands.
For example, if a customer wants KFC, and your platform doesn't have KFC, the customer will naturally go to another catering platform.
These days, who wouldn't use two or three group-buying platforms simultaneously to snag deals?
"First, on behalf of Meituan, Dazhong Dianping, and Baidu Nuomi, the three group-buying platforms, I extend our heartfelt thanks to all the leaders for attending this merchant conference."
As the leader among the three, Yuan Zhiyu unhesitatingly stood in the center.
"The reason we invited everyone here today is that our three group-buying platforms plan to hold a promotional event on November 11th. Our three companies are immensely sincere about this promotion and intend to spare no effort in supporting all merchants to acquire more customer resources."
"We have innovatively introduced a prepayment mechanism. For example, if a hotpot restaurant offers a discounted set meal during the event, we will pay a cooperation fee of up to one million yuan in a lump sum, fully purchasing your set meals, thus addressing merchants' concerns. You can understand it as a guaranteed minimum mechanism."
Many merchants in the audience were startled by these words; it was indeed a grand gesture.
Even if each household received 100,000, the total sum would be an astonishing figure.
"I know some of the bosses present have signed exclusive agreements with Renrengou. Rest assured, if a high-quality merchant is willing to switch over, we can pay your breach of contract fees, relieving you of any worries."
Nan Xinzhi clicked her tongue,
"I remember the breach of contract fee is two or three hundred thousand, right? Are these three group-buying websites crazy, spending money like this?"
Qin Suqin nodded,
"These three clearly came prepared, intending to gain a foothold in first-tier cities, and that can't be done without spending money."
Zhu Yuanlan's face showed a worried expression,
"That will definitely cause a lot of trouble for Renrengou, right?"
"There will definitely be trouble, it could be big or small, it depends on how Chairman Chen handles it."
After the presentation, Yuan Zhiyu found the "Three Golden Flowers" with a smile on his face.
"Our company and I personally greatly admire Zhizhen Catering. There are very few catering enterprises in China that can do all three brands so well, Yum!
Brands is one, but they are an established enterprise, so in my heart, Zhizhen Catering is NO.1. How are the three of you considering this? In fact, you can rest assured that whatever conditions Renrengou can offer, we can offer the same, and even more."
"Excellent leading enterprises like Zhizhen should not be tied down by a single platform. You have the right to choose, unlike those small catering companies. I believe Renrengou's leaders aren't foolish enough to offend you all."
As agreed beforehand, Qin Suqin just smiled and said,
"I am personally very interested in this cooperation. Manager Yuan is right; there should be more collaboration between us. However, the three of us are only brand managers; there's a general manager above us. Please rest assured, after returning this time, I will do my best to persuade General Manager Ge."
As soon as Yuan Zhiyu walked back, Liao Bochen and Wang Shi crowded around him, impatiently asking,
"How did it go?"
"They said they need to go back and report. I'd say it's highly likely."
"Why didn't you seal the deal in one go?"
"Do you think it's a small enterprise where the decision-maker comes in person? These big companies suffer from many corporate illnesses; even these three brand managers need to report upwards."
Only then did Wang Shi reluctantly nod,
"As long as we can poach these three brands, we'll have leading names in milk tea, sauerkraut fish, and even barbecue categories. Coupled with KFC and Pizza Hut from Yum! Brands, Renrengou will definitely suffer significant damage."
Yuan Zhiyu was very satisfied with the results of this merchant conference.
Not only did they poach several high-quality chain enterprises that previously only connected to Renrengou, but other brands also expressed great interest in the Double 11 event.
Some even openly declared:
"The world has suffered Renren for too long!"
......
Chen Pingjiang casually threw the folder in his hand onto the conference table,
"Since they have suffered us for so long, let's not make these merchants uncomfortable anymore. Effective immediately, any merchant listed on other platforms will have their Renrengou store delisted or completely cut off from traffic."
Gao Songbin nodded,
"If we don't make an example, these people will think Renrengou is easy to bully."
As the hegemon of first and second-tier cities, how could Renrengou tolerate such disrespect?
It's an "either-or" situation: either connect to our platform, or we go our separate ways.
So what if we're exercising market dominance?
It's only 2009; even if the state wanted to penalize us, it's still too early.
Even by 2023, while merchants are ostensibly not forced to choose one, privately there are still a hundred ways to manipulate your shop.
If Renrengou shows weakness at this moment, it will inevitably face a greater crisis later.
Many shops were watching.
If Renrengou didn't make a statement, they would certainly not object to connecting to more platforms.
Someone suggested,
"Should we organize our existing merchant resources and force them to pay a deposit?"
Chen Pingjiang waved his hand,
"No need for a deposit. If they really want to switch, Meituan and the others will pay for them. Plus, it wouldn't sound good to outsiders."
Renrengou was much gentler than Meituan would be later.
For merchants who signed with multiple platforms, Meituan directly increased the commission from 18% to 25%.
If you complained, they would cut off all your traffic, making you a "dead" store in name and in fact.
In addition, Meituan also forcibly raised the minimum order amount to 500 yuan per order and the delivery fee to 50 per order.
With such changes, who would still place an order?
Even more extreme, they would change the delivery distance to 500 meters.
"We can't stop their Double 11 event this time, but we must curb them at the source. Otherwise, once they taste success and open a loophole, they will use the same trick again in the future."
Chi Weijie, who had been promoted to Shanghai city manager, chuckled sinisterly,
"We can mobilize manpower to snatch all their coupons as soon as they're released, hold onto them, and then return them just before the event ends. For other things like movie tickets, we can grab them at half price directly, then sell them back at 80% of the price."
As he spoke, many people looked over, and a few words appeared in their minds:
"That's f***ing sinister."
"Good,"
Chen Pingjiang nodded with satisfaction,
"Let's proceed with that."
The matter wasn't over yet.
If Meituan could form vertical alliances, Renrengou could naturally form horizontal ones.
Behind Meituan stood Alibaba.
Chen Pingjiang didn't have much interaction with Old Ma, and since Meituan was the direct threat to Renrengou, he naturally wouldn't consider them.
As for Baidu Nuomi, both Chen Pingjiang and Chen Yizhou shared the surname Chen, but they certainly wouldn't be on the same page.
After much thought, he could only turn to Little Ma.
Little Ma was also stunned after hearing Chen Pingjiang's call.
He didn't expect Chen Pingjiang truly didn't know the meaning of "bottom line."
Was it BAT working together to take on Renrengou?
Or RT teaming up to confront BA?
That was the question.
More precisely, should he choose Alibaba or Renren Network?
Without much deliberation, Little Ma ultimately chose to help Chen Pingjiang.
It had nothing to do with personal relationships, but was entirely considered from the perspective of business interests.
Chen Pingjiang's terms were too appealing.
If necessary, Dazhong Dianping could be handled through acquisition or merger.
This sentence hit Little Ma right in the heart, making it impossible for him to refuse.
The current group-buying market was too difficult.
Dazhong Dianping was barely on par with Baidu Nuomi, a considerable distance behind Meituan, not to mention Renrengou.
Tencent entering the group-buying market was also to keep an option open; even Little Ma himself didn't believe they could defeat the top two.
To avoid a wasted investment and secure a place in group buying, Little Ma naturally chose to cooperate with Renrengou.
And Chen Pingjiang's desire to swallow Dazhong Dianping was not just talk.
If he didn't swallow Dazhong Dianping, then once Meituan and Dazhong Dianping merged in the future, it would inevitably pose a greater challenge to Renrengou.
Since Dazhong Dianping will be sold anyway, who cares who it's sold to?
In short, no matter who it merges with, it cannot merge with Meituan.
Although Little Ma was not the owner of Dazhong Dianping, he was the biggest investor, and Dazhong Dianping had to rely on Tencent's channels and resources.
Without these channels and resources, how could Dazhong Dianping compete?
Therefore, as long as Little Ma was settled, Dazhong Dianping would naturally fall without a fight.
......
Wang Shi, who was getting a foot massage with the city managers of Meituan and Dazhong Dianping, received a call from his superior in a daze.
He thought he had misheard, his face showing a shocked expression.
Only after listening did he reply with a low voice,
"Okay."
Yuan Zhiyu saw the solemn expression on Wang Shi's face and curiously asked,
"Is there a problem with the merchants?"
Only then did Wang Shi come back to his senses and let out a dry laugh,
"No problem, two of our employees got into a fight with Renrengou's field promoters."
Speaking of this, Yuan Zhiyu spat,
"Damn it, Renrengou's people are truly impossible to change; they fight at the drop of a hat. They sent our field promoters in several cities to the hospital before; it's truly barbaric."
Liao Bochen also nodded,
"That's why they say the world has suffered Renren for too long. Renrengou is too domineering. If they aren't afraid of pushing away this mountain on their heads, other group-buying websites like ours simply won't survive."
Wang Shi couldn't hear their words at all.
He wanted to finish the massage quickly so he could call and ask what exactly was happening.
How could the promised cooperation suddenly change?
At this moment, Wang Shi felt somewhat uneasy all over, feeling that he had betrayed his teammates, yet faintly, deep down, he also felt a thrill.
That feeling of being an undercover agent, as if having a god's-eye view, was truly different.
(End of Chapter)