36Kr Exclusive | Ye Guofu and Yu Donglai's First Meeting: What Did They Talk About?

36Kr has learned that recently, Ye Guofu, the founder, chairman of the board, and CEO of Miniso Group, had his first meeting with Yu Donglai, the founder and chairman of Pangdonglai.

This is the first in-depth exchange between Miniso and Yu Donglai regarding the adjustment and reform of Yonghui Supermarket after Miniso's acquisition of Yonghui, and both sides clearly stated that they firmly believe in the development of Yonghui Supermarket and also approve of Yonghui's adjustment and reform path.

On the evening of September 23, Miniso announced that it would become the major shareholder of Yonghui with 6.3 billion yuan, making it the largest and most concerned acquisition case in China this year.

At the investor conference call that night, Ye Guofu once explained that the reason for his acquisition of Yonghui is that he is optimistic about the stores of Yonghui after the adjustment and reform by Pangdonglai. After observing the global retail models, he believes that quality retail will enable China to develop a great global consumer enterprise. And Yonghui Supermarket definitely has the characteristics and resilience to be "the happiest quality community supermarket around you".

In this exchange, Ye Guofu reiterated that Miniso has always advocated the consumption proposition of high-quality and affordable products, advocating a return to the essence of retail and to consumers, focusing on quality and innovation, rather than price competition.

He frankly told Yu Donglai that he felt extremely happy when he saw the first store in Zhengzhou Xinwan Store that Pangdonglai helped Yonghui to adjust and reform. "I am fully confident that the Pangdonglai model will spread across the country, serve every community well, and serve every family well."

The communication scene between Ye Guofu and Yu Donglai

In Ye Guofu's introduction, Miniso is also learning from Pangdonglai.

"The mission of Miniso is 'Born for Happiness'. Our employees' birthdays and celebrations are on Wednesdays. We are also gradually approaching Pangdonglai, doing a good job in making people happy, constantly adjusting the state of employees, and putting the happiness of employees first."

In addition, Miniso has specially set up a "Grievance Award". According to Ye Guofu, in the past, if the goods in Miniso's stores were damaged or lost, the loss prevention department would investigate. "Nowadays, if the goods are damaged or lost, no matter whose responsibility it is, the company will reimburse the cost."

When it comes to the most concerned adjustment and reform of Yonghui Supermarket, Ye Guofu believes that Pangdonglai is an industry leader. "Within one to two years, Yonghui Supermarket can learn 70 to 80 points from Pangdonglai. In the future, it will continue to learn, continuously optimize, and keep approaching Pangdonglai."

Yu Donglai also said that he enjoys the adjustment and reform of Yonghui Supermarket.

Yu Donglai believes that it is not difficult to be a Chinese Costco. "First, the team is willing to work, feels happy in the work and can earn money; second, the quality, function and aesthetics of the products should be done well."

In his view, in the retail industry, only when employees are happy can customers have a better feeling. For products, quality should always be the first priority; secondly, it should be practical, making consumers feel convenient in life, and also have aesthetic sense. At the same time, Yu Donglai also emphasized that the products should be made to international standards, learning from brands such as Sam's and Costco, not just simply making commodities, but reflecting the taste of life.

In the previous understanding of 36Kr, since May this year, there are two models for the adjustment and reform of Yonghui Supermarket by Pangdonglai. One is "Pangdonglai's Assistance", which is mainly in Henan Province, and is adjusted and reformed by Yu Donglai and the Pangdonglai team hand in hand. The other is that Yonghui learns from Pangdonglai and independently adjusts and reforms its stores.

Up to now, Yonghui Supermarket has completed the adjustment and opening of 20 stores nationwide. The two models of "Pangdonglai's Assistance" and "Learning from Pangdonglai for Independent Adjustment and Reform" are carried out in parallel, and it is planned to increase the number of adjusted and reformed stores to 40 to 50 before the Spring Festival.

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