Chapter 28

The Bear's Soup is Now My Story Chapter 28

028 Mart Opening / Japanese Products in the Corner

When one joined U Mart, they could enjoy many benefits.

1. Free meals provided.

2. Shuttle bus service for commuting.

3. Loans at low interest rates.

4. Discounts when employees purchase products.

5. A salary 1.5 times higher than similar jobs.

6. Rental apartments provided after 5 years of employment.

7. Bonuses paid every 3 months after 1 year of employment.

8. Overseas trips for couples every 3 years after 3 years of employment...

And all interviewees would be given the cost of transportation and a meal.

People from all over Russia flocked to the high school auditorium, which was used as the interview venue.

Interviewees exchanged information with each other, trying to learn more.

"Everyone, it's the stores being built in Moscow, right?"

"Yes. The first three will open on November 1st, and later, branches will be expanded nationwide."

"Are the benefits reported in the newspaper real?"

"How can it be a lie when it's clearly stated in the newspaper? It's not just any company; it's from the Unicorn Group."

Although it is a subsidiary now, Nikolai planned to split it off and take it all in the future.

"Rental apartments... Do you know what that means?"

"Yes, I know well. My uncle works at Unicorn Construction. I heard that starting next year, large apartment complexes will be built throughout Moscow. It seems they plan to provide these apartments first."

"I see. How much of a bonus will be given every 3 months after 1 year of employment?"

"I heard it's 50%."

"Did your uncle tell you that too?"

"Yes, it's not a secret within the company."

At the large supermarket construction site, the chief's direct subordinate scratched his ear.

"Oh, why is my ear so itchy. Is someone talking about me?"

The interviews were divided into three parts: cashiers, in-store product placement, and product transportation.

While other parts were handled by Ivan and employees from Unicorn, Nikolai, Sasha, and Victoria were in charge of selecting the attractive candidates.

Ten people, five men and five women, who passed the first round of interviews, entered the interview room.

They all had tense expressions, their eyes pleading, "Please hire me."

Nikolai smiled, reminded of his old media company interviews.

"When you join, you'll rotate between cashier and in-store product placement. You'll be the face of U Mart, interacting with the most customers. Therefore, we prioritize those with outstanding appearances. Please understand this point. Now, then..."

Despite the large number of candidates who passed the first round, Nikolai and his team proceeded quickly.

Questions were pre-written in order, so there was no need for much talking.

After a week of interviews, the candidates received their acceptance notifications at the contact information they provided.

- Mr. Raza, congratulations. You have been accepted.

- Ms. Alona, congratulations. You have been accepted.

"I got in! I got into U Mart!"

He opened the balcony door wide and shouted.

"Dad! Mom! I got in!"

The 20-year-old beauty, who had just turned 20, hugged her parents and jumped around the living room.

And the son of parents who could not move well due to an accident shed silent tears.

"Father, Mother... From now on, I will earn money to support you. Thank you for all your hard work."

There was also the story of a family breadwinner who lost his job when the Soviet Union fell.

A man who had moved around to various places and did any job to earn money, hugged his wife and children and shed hot tears.

"It's done. I'm now a regular employee in the store. It's really done. Thank you for all your hard work."

"No, I know how hard you've worked for us."

They all became official U Mart employees.

Their joy was different from that of being accepted into a regular company.

They knew the position of U Mart, a subsidiary of the Unicorn Group, in Russia.

They started learning their duties from the next day.

* * *

The supermarket, originally scheduled to be completed in early November, was finished on October 5th thanks to the addition of equipment and personnel.

The supermarket had a total of 5 floors.

1st floor: Food.

2nd floor: Miscellaneous goods.

3rd floor: Miscellaneous goods.

4th floor: Clothing.

5th floor: Electronics.

Each floor was three times larger than the E-Mart of Nikolai's time, so customers would be amazed when they entered.

Indeed, it was a scale befitting the world's largest country by land area.

There were still some unfinished parts outside, but since the building was 100% complete, items started to be brought in from then on.

Nikolai inspected the displayed products and pointed out issues.

"Who is the 1st floor food section manager?"

A man who had been following nervously stepped forward.

"Sir, I am the manager."

"Do you want to be fired before the store opens?"

"Y-Yes...?"

"Why are Korean products displayed like this?"

Nikolai, whose throat was dry, opened a bottle of Milkis and drank it.

"Wow, it's good. Here, shrimp chips, Milkis, Choco Pie, crabs, Dongseo Foods (Prim, coffee mix), canned coffee (Let's Be), banana milk, seaweed, Melona, custard bread, etc. Korean products should be displayed in the most visible and accessible locations!"

Other products would also be popular, but Prim's popularity would be explosive.

In Russia, due to the cold weather, people enjoy warm, high-calorie drinks.

The rumor that adding Prim to cocoa makes it even better spread, making Prim's popularity skyrocket.

The rumor that it makes bread even better when mixed in also spread, leading to massive sales.

It's truly a magical powder!

Originally, its popularity would start in two years, but Nikolai accelerated it.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'll change it right away."

"And this fresh food display uses too much electricity."

"I'm sorry."

"Leaving it open like this, without any partitions, makes the cold air disappear quickly."

"Cold air...?"

"Is electricity free?"

"I'm sorry."

"Replace it with glass. The front should be openable and closable. That way, it will retain the cold air better. Understand?"

"Yes, it's a great idea."

"Am I doing this to hear compliments?"

"Ah, no. It's a great idea, so I couldn't help it... I'm sorry. I'll change it right away."

Moving to the cash register area, Nikolai smiled, satisfied with the beautiful appearance of the employees, reminiscent of Miss Russia.

But his frown returned when he glanced to the side.

"Why is the area next to the cash register so empty?"

"…?"

"It should be filled with small items that can be bought while waiting in line, like gum, candy, chocolate, children's snacks, and batteries."

"…I'll take care of it right away."

Despite the freezing temperature outside, the manager was sweating profusely.

"Move the customer service counter to the inside."

"Understood."

Nikolai moved to a place with a familiar smell.

"Why did you say that the Korean-style pizza and chicken can be sold with only a 5% profit margin?"

"I thought of them as bait products."

"Correct. Keep making them until closing time. Sign long-term contracts with suppliers of ingredients like chicken farms and flour."

He planned to open separate pizza and chicken shops later.

Nationwide, in a franchise format.

"By the way, on the opening day, one of the two will be free, so you need to stock up on a large quantity. Also, give one to each employee."

"Yes. But people who receive them might keep coming. What about requiring them to bring identification?"

"Good idea. Do that. Also, inform the 2nd and 3rd stores."

Meanwhile, the faces of the floor managers, who had been watching, darkened rapidly.

If the 1st floor was the standard, it was clear they would be scolded on their floors as well.

The 1st floor was new, so it could be forgiven a few times, but if the same issues appeared on the 2nd floor onwards...

'I might be fired after just a few weeks.'

The four of them swallowed hard, their Adam's apples moving up and down quickly.

The 2nd and 3rd floor miscellaneous goods sections were modeled after "Daesoo."

Not only the items sold in Ivan's store but also popular items from around the world were included.

In Korea, popular products like Pong Pong, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste were all displayed.

Since there was nothing to criticize here, Nikolai moved to the 4th floor clothing section.

"Contact the person in charge of Dongdaemun clothing to ensure the quality of the products."

"Understood."

"Also, it would be good to have a large, separate section for socks and underwear."

"I'll do that."

Nikolai didn't criticize much and moved to the final 5th floor electronics section.

But as soon as he went up, his expression twisted.

"Who is the display manager here?"

The man who had been following with a pale face since the 1st floor sighed and stepped forward.

"...I am the manager."

"Sony, Panasonic, and German products. Who told you to display them like this?"

"..."

"Why are Japanese and German products in the most visible spots?"

"I'm sorry."

Nikolai, who had moved to the Japanese TV section, pointed to one side with his left hand.

"Move these to the corner. Put Japanese products in the farthest back, then German products, and place Korean products in the most visible spot. Understand?"

"Yes, I'll follow your instructions."

At that time, Korean electronics were indeed inferior to Japanese and German products.

So, if this wasn't done, Korean products wouldn't sell.

Rich people who wanted Japanese or German products wouldn't care where they were displayed.

Since Nikolai, though Russian in appearance, was still Korean at heart, this was perhaps natural.

When his thoughts and ideas became completely Russian, such actions would disappear.

'Hmm. This should be fine for the opening. No, people might faint from shock. When have Russians seen such a variety of products?'

* * *

On November 1, 1993, the three U Marts officially opened.

But...

"Sir! The line is..."

"How about the other stores?"

"The 2nd and 3rd stores are in a similar situation."

This is a big problem.

I expected a crowd, but not this much.

People are swarming like ants.

"Is it because we said the pizza and chicken would be free on the first day?"

There are 10 pizza and chicken-making machines, but even running them 24/7 wouldn't be enough.

"That's one reason, but it's the first time such a large store has opened in Russia, so it's causing a stir. The advertising also had an impact."

Even though it's three times larger than Walmart, it's impossible to let all these people in at once.

Nikolai had to take drastic measures.

"Let 500 people in at a time. After that, let more in gradually as the security team deems it safe."

With 5 floors, 500 people won't feel too crowded at first.

"Maybe it's because of the free stuff, but it should be less crowded from tomorrow."

"I agree. It won't be this crowded tomorrow."

Although the Russian economy is still struggling, Moscow has a population of over 10 million.

With only three large supermarkets for such a population, the current situation is understandable.

In Seoul, where Nikolai lived, dozens of large supermarkets did well.

And with a job, shopping at such a supermarket isn't difficult.

The opening ceremony was a grand success, with President Yeltsin and various dignitaries in attendance, even making the news.

"The cutting ceremony will now begin."

The scene of President Yeltsin and Chairman Yuri Yuspov cutting the ribbon was broadcast nationwide.

"Congratulations, Chairman. People are flocking in. Even at the presidential inauguration, there weren't this many people. Haha."

After the cutting ceremony, Makar, the chief of staff, approached with a hearty laugh.

"It's probably because it's the first day."

Yuri Yuspov was also quite surprised.

In his decades of life, he had never seen so many people gather to buy something.

"I hope U Mart does well and boosts the economy."

"We will do our best."

The chief of staff looked around and then asked in a subtle voice.

"By any chance, are you interested in acquiring GUM Department Store?"

"Isn't it over 1,200 stores nationwide?"

"The losses are too great for the government to manage anymore. The president has ordered privatization, so I'm asking."

"The number of stores is so high that the acquisition cost would be significant... It's a