After concluding his conversation with Joseph Lewis, Simon instructed the assistant by his side, Alison, to gather more information about Lewis. He then made his way over to Laurence Fink from BlackRock Asset Management.
Laurence Fink was engaged in conversation with a few guests, including Alice Ferguson, the housekeeper. Due to the equity transfer involving Igreet Corporation, not only were several high-ranking executives from the Westeros system's East Coast companies present, but many from Igreet's top management had also made their way to New York. Thanks to the excellent performance of the Amazon online store over the past year, Alice had become a key figure in Igreet's leadership team.
In the small circle with Fink and Ferguson were a man and two women Simon wasn't particularly familiar with.
As Simon approached, greetings were exchanged, and Laurence Fink took the opportunity to introduce everyone. "Simon, this is Ronald Lauder, his wife Carol, and their daughter, Aerin Lauder."
Hearing the surname "Lauder," Simon immediately understood their significance.
They were the Lauder family behind Estée Lauder Companies.
Simon was particularly interested in Estée Lauder, which he remembered as the world's largest cosmetics company. Two years ago, Cersei Capital's Apollo Management acquired a 10% stake in Estée Lauder, with plans for Melisandre to take over after Estée Lauder's IPO, integrating it into Melisandre's fashion industry framework.
Smiling, Simon shook hands with each of the Lauders, exchanging a few polite words before asking, "What were you discussing just now?"
Laurence Fink replied, "We were talking about Alice's management of the Amazon online store. Ronald is considering whether Estée Lauder should venture into e-commerce early. What do you think, Simon?"
Simon shook his head. "Now is not the time for a single manufacturer to delve into e-commerce. Managing a website is one thing, but the cost of warehousing and logistics is too high. However, Estée Lauder could try some experiential e-commerce by combining online presence with physical stores. This way, they can start accumulating experience in e-commerce without excessive financial outlay."
The Lauder family listened attentively to Simon's suggestion. Before Ronald and Carol could respond, their daughter, Aerin Lauder, who seemed to be in her early twenties, interjected, "Mr. Westeros, do you mean customers should place orders online and then pick them up in-store?"
Simon nodded. "Yes, Aerin. And please, call me Simon."
Aerin, sensing Simon's approachable tone, didn't hold back. "But isn't that just an unnecessary step? Customers can simply buy cosmetics directly at the store. Why add the hassle of online ordering?"
The Lauder parents, noticing Aerin's almost confrontational tone, glanced at their daughter, perhaps sharing her skepticism but finding her bluntness inappropriate. They feared offending Simon, which could lead to repercussions for the Lauder family.
Simon, however, wasn't displeased and calmly replied, "They are indeed different. I think most women who care about their appearance want to know as much as possible about cosmetics before buying them. Websites can provide detailed descriptions with extensive images and text, something store clerks can't do in a brief sales pitch. So, e-commerce offers a new shopping experience and serves as an excellent online marketing platform. As for online ordering and in-store pickup seeming redundant, Aerin, if you're planning to buy a set of cosmetics, would you prefer to browse and order from your computer in the comfort of your home and pick it up the next day, or spend time at the store choosing a product you might not fully understand?"
As Simon finished, the group nodded in agreement.
Aerin Lauder, not easily swayed, countered, "There are still many women who prefer to test and choose their products in-store."
"Of course," Simon acknowledged. "And there will undoubtedly be those who prefer to order online. As I mentioned, this is a transitional approach. True e-commerce should allow users to order online and have the products delivered to their doorstep. However, Estée Lauder currently might find it too costly to support such a system."
Laurence Fink, aiming to keep the conversation smooth, chimed in, "Amazon's online store has performed exceptionally well in book sales over the past year. I noticed they recently added videotapes and movie merchandise. Simon, will Amazon continue to diversify its product range, maybe even into cosmetics?"
Simon shook his head. "Not in the short term. For at least the next two years, Amazon will focus on its existing product categories."
This limitation on product types was primarily to control operational costs.
Expanding into videotapes and movie merchandise this year was feasible due to the Westeros system's strong foothold in Hollywood, supporting Amazon's growth in this sector.
Further expansion into other categories would require Amazon to build comprehensive procurement, warehousing, logistics, and marketing teams, significantly increasing its operational burden. If new product categories didn't perform as expected, they could become liabilities, dragging down the company's overall progress.
Currently, Amazon operates as a fully self-managed platform, not yet allowing third-party vendors to sell on it.
Simon's vision for the future of e-commerce was platform-based, which he remembered as the industry's ultimate trend.
But at this early stage of e-commerce, Amazon's primary goal was to accumulate operational experience. Unlike traditional businesses, e-commerce was an entirely new field with no precedents to follow. Simon's foresight could only provide a general direction; the operational team had to figure out the details.
Historically, during the late 1990s internet bubble, many e-commerce platforms emerged, but only Amazon survived to become a behemoth, thanks to its steady and methodical growth strategy.
Laurence Fink acknowledged Simon's strategy. "In that case, other companies might seize the opportunity to pioneer e-commerce in different sectors."
Simon nodded with a smile. "Indeed, Amazon can't corner every market."
This scenario, predicted by Igreet's top management, actually benefited both Amazon and Igreet.
By focusing on books, audio, and movie-related products, Amazon left ample room for other companies to explore e-commerce in different sectors.
Over the past year, Simon had reviewed various e-commerce plans from the Westeros company's Silicon Valley venture capital arm, including online grocery sales, baby products, and pet food. With the recent announcement of the "Information Superhighway Initiative" and the impact of Igreet's financial report on capital markets, a flood of diverse e-commerce sites was expected to emerge.
With such abundant opportunities online, hostility towards Igreet from other capitals would diminish significantly.
As the conversation continued, Aerin Lauder, who had initially challenged Simon, listened more attentively. She couldn't help but subtly observe Simon and the two women by his side.
When Simon had approached, Alison and Alice had naturally taken positions flanking him slightly to the side.
Alison Norris, as his assistant, stood a step behind Simon on one side, while Alice Ferguson instinctively positioned herself similarly on the other side, creating a protective stance around him.
Alison's role was clear, but Alice Ferguson, a rising star in the business world, had achieved remarkable success with Amazon's online store within a year, something no ordinary manager could accomplish.
If Alice Ferguson decided to leave Igreet and start her own venture, she would immediately attract numerous venture capital funds eager to support her.
Yet, here she was, seemingly deferring to a young man who was once her employer. Aerin knew Alice Ferguson had started as a maid in the Westeros household.
This raised a compelling question about Simon Westeros. Despite all the information available in the media over the years, Aerin couldn't help but feel an intense curiosity about the kind of person Simon Westeros really was.
After spending a bit more time with the group and arranging a breakfast meeting with Laurence Fink for the next morning, Simon moved on.
Aerin Lauder continued mingling with her parents but couldn't stop her gaze from trailing Simon.
After about ten minutes, she noticed a beautiful woman seemingly contrived a small accident, spilling her drink on Simon. Watching this from a distance, Aerin couldn't help but roll her eyes.
How obvious. Women have been spilling drinks on men for centuries. Why can't they come up with something new?
If it were her...
Lost in thought, she saw Simon leaving the hall, leaving the woman who had spilled her drink standing there, looking dejected. Aerin couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude.
After a moment's hesitation, Aerin put down her empty glass and quietly followed Simon out.
Stepping out of the hall, Aerin immediately regretted her decision.
I must be out of my mind.
The corridor outside the hall was empty, and Simon was nowhere to be seen. Aerin stood at the doorway, deliberating whether to continue. She decided to walk to the corner. If she didn't see him there, she'd turn back.
At the corner, Simon was still nowhere in sight.
He must have gone to the restroom. That's the only logical place.
Aerin knew the layout of the Gramercy Hotel well, having attended many events there over the years.
Despite second-guessing herself, she followed her hunch and headed toward the restroom.
After a brief search, she reached the end of the corridor and saw two bodyguards outside the restroom, confirming her suspicion.
She walked past them without a hitch and entered the ladies' room.
Inside, she touched up her makeup at the vanity, taking her time. When she heard footsteps outside, she quickly put her makeup away, grabbed her clutch, and stepped out.
Simon was already heading back to the hall.
Having come this far, Aerin decided to call out, "Hey, Simon."
Simon stopped and turned, smiling when he saw her. "Hello, Aerin."
Oh, he
sounds just like an old man pretending to be a gentleman.
Suppressing a desire to roll her eyes again, Aerin walked up and matched his pace as he continued toward the hall. "Do you really enjoy mingling with all those bald, middle-aged men?"
Simon smiled. "Aerin, that's a bit rude. Your father is among them."
Aerin rolled her eyes. "Mr. Westeros, could you please stop talking to me like that? You're my age, yet you sound like an old man."
Simon, ever agreeable, nodded. "Sure."
"..."
Walking a few more steps in silence, Aerin suggested, "How about we go to the bar downstairs for a drink?"
Simon finally paused to consider her suggestion, taking a moment to assess the young woman beside him.
Compared to the striking beauty of Alice and the sophisticated allure of Alison, Aerin's unique advantage lay in the refined aura of someone raised in a wealthy family.
Feeling uncomfortable under Simon's scrutiny, Aerin stood her ground and met his gaze, asking, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Simon smiled and continued walking. "Alright, let's go for a drink."
Aerin followed him, but a sense of unease crept in.
As they walked, she tried to keep pace with him, pondering her next words. "Just so you know, we're only having a drink. I still need to go home afterward."
Simon nodded. "Of course."
Aerin gave him a wary look. "Are you planning to get me drunk?"
"I never intentionally get women drunk."
Aerin seized on his words. "So, if a woman gets drunk on her own, you wouldn't stop her?"
"Correct."
"And what happens after she gets drunk?"
"After she gets drunk? Well, usually, it's not pretty. She might even throw up."
Aerin, who was only 22, had experienced being drunk before and was certain she hadn't behaved as badly as Simon suggested.
"Simon, are you trying to scare me?"
"I just don't like drunk women. They're troublesome."
Aerin huffed. "Aren't men supposed to like getting women drunk so they can take advantage of them?"
Simon glanced at her, a playful smile on his lips. "I prefer women to be clear-headed."
Hearing this, Aerin couldn't help but wonder whether it was better to be drunk or sober later.
Then, catching the mischievous glint in Simon's eyes, she resolved not to get drunk.
Hmph, let's see what you'll do then!
_________________________
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