Had by far, one of the most amusing China-moments just now as I had to stock up on some toiletries and headed to Watson's. Schwarzkopf hair mousse, check. Hada Labo toner, check. Clinicare intensive treatment for permed hair, check. Schick Intuition razor blades...where the fuck are the razor blades?
As I walked up and down each aisle, a Watson's staff came up to me, and asked if I needed any assistance.
Me: "Yes please...where are the razor blades?"
Staff A: "Ummm..." looks away to find another Staff B and shouts, "HEY, where are the razor blades?"
Staff B walks over and says: "Oh we don't have it."
Me: "You don't have it? Why? I buy it from Watson's all the time..."
Staff B: "Yeah but razor blades are seasonal items."
Me: "Sorry? Seasonal items?"
Staff B: "We only have it in stock in the summers. It only sells good in the summer and usually in the winter, everyone's wrapped up in thick clothing anyway."
Me: "Uh huh, interesting...so apparently, women's hair also don't grow out in the winter right?"
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If any one of you know someone who knows someone at Hutchison Whampoa, A.S. Watson's Group, specifically in Marketing/Product Inventory departments, please kindly revert the following:
1. Seasonal items should include Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, Easter, Ching Ming, Dragon Boat, National Holidays...and so forth.
2. I understand the meaning of "localfying to market's needs", but I can assure you that one shelf space to carry a smaller inventory of razor blades will be profitable for business. Foreign consumers are less than 25% of the China market but you'll have 100% of the foreigners going to Watson's to buy razor blades.
Thanks. I still need razor blades by the way. Apparently my hair doesn't grow according to seasons.
