The conference room on this floor where Cao Cao Retail is located.
The atmosphere is a bit solemn, and Metro's bidding has now reached the third round.
There are only four retail stores left: Ali, Tengxun, Wumart, and Caocao.
The valuation has also increased due to competition from several companies, and now it has reached 2 billion euros.
Chen Wenyuan looked a little confused. Metro's valuation had reached a price that was unbearable for him.
If you want to win Metro, it will be a waste of time and energy.
"Director Chen, how about we give up the bidding?"
Chen Wenyuan asked tentatively.
"No, it's already the third round. It would be a shame to give up."
Chen Dongcheng rejected Chen Wenyuan's proposal without hesitation. He tapped his temple with his right index finger from time to time, lost in thought.
Metro has many advantages, including several self-owned properties in first-tier cities.
It has been making profits and not losing money.
It can be said that if it weren't for the old-fashioned business philosophy of the Germans, they would never have had the chance to get involved in Metro.
"What does Metro say? It plans to continue to let everyone bid like this?"
"Over at Metro's headquarters, CEO Olaf Koch will come personally to handle this transaction in the near future. It is estimated that there will be a result soon."
"Let's adjourn the meeting first. Wenyuan will continue to keep an eye on Metro. If there is any trouble, let me know as soon as possible."
Chen Dongcheng waved his hands and thought about it alone in the conference room.
Bidding seems to be hot now, but it is still a non-binding bidding.
To put it bluntly, everyone is just talking and can break the contract at any time.
If Metro headquarters sends someone over, then they definitely can't make random quotes.
In any case, the final price of Metro's sale must be very high.
…
The sale of Metro has attracted the attention of countless people in the retail industry.
With Olaf Koch appearing at Metro China headquarters.
Several companies that were already ready to make a move sent people to contact them.
Metro China's headquarters is also in the Magic City, so first come first served one if you're close to the water.
Chen Dongcheng took the initiative to treat Olaf Koch to a banquet, and the other party was very generous and brought Kant, the president of China District, to the appointment.
During the meeting, Koch originally planned to let Kant do the talking for him, since he did not speak Chinese after all.
"Mr. Koch, I think it would be easier for us to communicate with each other."
Chen Dongcheng spoke German proficiently and smiled slightly.
Koch couldn't help but be stunned, and couldn't help but admire: "Mr. Chen, you are the best German speaker among the Chinese businessmen I have ever met."
"Thank you. Mr. Koch came to China this time. I wonder if he plans to sell the business or find a partner for Metro?"
After Chen Dongcheng politely thanked him, he asked directly.
"Of course we are looking for a strong partner. China is a market with great potential, and we at Metro will not completely lose it."
"Financial investors like Ali and Tengxun are not within my consideration range."
Koch was also very candid and directly stated his attitude.
"I see."
Chen Dongcheng suddenly realized, no wonder it won Metro and became Wumart.
On the contrary, the wealthy Tengxun and Ahli fell into disgrace one after another.
"Mr. Koch, since your group is looking for a collaborator, I think our Cao Cao Group is the most suitable one."
Koch just smiled and asked, "Oh? Why?"
"Mr. Koch must also know about several of our companies that are still bidding, right?"
Koch smiled without saying a word and nodded, that's for sure.
If you know your enemy and yourself, you can fight a hundred battles without danger.
"Since Carrefour was acquired by our group, it has changed its development ideas and frequently entered the third- and fourth-tier city markets."
"This also proves that our group's and Metro's development ideas do not overlap, and they can even leverage each other's strengths."
Koch nodded thoughtfully. He had investigated Carrefour.
It was found that this company, which was originally focused on first- and second-tier cities, turned its focus to third- and fourth-tier cities after being acquired, and it was still a self-sustaining property model.
As one of the giants in the retail industry, Metro's business philosophy is to acquire its own land, build stores, and reduce the cost of future rent increases.
Although this model will cause Metro to expand very slowly.
But over the years, ninety-five stores have been built.
Annual sales exceed 10 billion and it has always been profitable, which proves that Metro's model is not wrong.
"With the rise of e-commerce in the Chinese retail market, the market structure has changed greatly in recent years, and the new retail tentacles of Ali and Tengxun are everywhere."
"Mr. Koch should know very well that if he doesn't join one company as soon as possible, he will definitely be jointly targeted."
Koch smiled and nodded: "So, I hope to find a strong company that can help Metro develop the online market."
In addition to its own properties, Metro has a very clear business system.
One is the B-side, mainly targeting the catering industry, hotel industry, canteens, welfare gift group purchasing business of enterprises and institutions, etc.
The C-side is aimed at ordinary consumers.
Metro is confident in its B-side business and does not need help in the Chinese market.
But on the C-side, Metro is at a loss as to how to develop the online market and how to improve its C-side operating capabilities.
"Pinduoduo, a subsidiary of our group, ranks as the third largest e-commerce platform in China, with a market value of US$30 billion and more than 400 million monthly active users."
"There is also Douyin, which has more than 400 million daily active users. With such a large number of C-end users, Metro must be in great need, right?"
Chen Dongcheng also showed his trump card. If Metro needs C-side help, then he will give it to him.
Whether it’s Pinduoduo’s online sales capabilities or Douyin’s advertising capabilities, they are all resources that Metro is coveted.
"In addition, our group has a company called Cao Cao Daojia, and JD.com is also one of the shareholders."
"The main business is to help supermarkets solve distribution problems and develop online orders."
"If Metro is willing to accept investment from our group, Caocao Daojia will carry out digital transformation for all Metro stores. It is estimated that Metro's sales will increase by 20%."
Koch had been listening carefully. When Chen Dongcheng said that Cao Cao had arrived home, his eyes lit up and he asked: "Is it the platform where Carrefour and Wal-Mart are stationed?"
"Yes, now all the two stores have been connected, and online orders have increased the sales of the two stores by 20%."
Koch suddenly fell into deep thought and was obviously attracted by the blueprint described by Chen Dongcheng.
Metro's own online expansion capabilities are weak, and it is watching other supermarkets making huge profits.
Metro can only continue to consolidate its B-side business, so it will naturally feel unbalanced.
Who kept them from joining the team? Ahri digitally transformed all RT-Mart stores.
Tencent and JD.com strongly support Walmart and Yonghui.
Carrefour is a legitimate brand owned by the Cao Cao Group, and there are financial sponsors behind each one.
If Metro doesn't keep up, it will be eliminated sooner or later.