Please use your golden finger to make a fortune, like and take a walk, get rich forever, pay attention to the like, it is difficult to get rich if you don't want to
Uncle Zhang frowned and stood in front of the smoke hotel hesitating. The ten-dollar cigarette he was used to buying had not been found for weeks. The shopkeeper, Xiao Li, reluctantly explained that the cigarette was really out of stock and suggested that he change the brand.
He thinks back to his years of smoking, and it may be difficult to calculate the annual cost of cigarettes. Once upon a time, he could choose between many affordable cigarettes, but now he is facing a dilemma.
Uncle Zhang is determined to figure out this phenomenon that puzzles him and unravel the mystery of the mysterious disappearance of cheap cigarettes.
Uncle Zhang embarked on a journey of exploration with doubts. He first visited the local tobacco company, hoping to get some answers from insiders. There, a staff member surnamed Wang warmly received him and unveiled a corner of the mystery of the tobacco industry for him.
"Uncle Zhang, you may not imagine how big our industry is," said Wang with a smile, "and the entire tobacco industry chain directly or indirectly employs more than 33 million people."
Uncle Zhang's eyes widened in surprise, "So many people? Can you elaborate on that? "
Staff Wang nodded, turned on the computer and called up a set of data: "We have 510,000 professional workers, and they are the backbone of the entire industry. In addition, there are 2.5 million tobacco farmers across the country who work hard to provide us with high-quality tobacco raw materials.
Finally, we have 5.8 million tobacco retail stores in every corner of the country.
Uncle Zhang nodded again and again when he heard this, and couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder the price of cigarettes will rise, the labor cost alone is not small, right?" "
"You're right," Wang explained, "but labor costs are only part of the story. We are also under tremendous logistical pressure. "
He described in detail the entire process of tobacco from cultivation to sale: from picking at tobacco bases in various locations, to transporting it to tobacco companies for processing, to distributing it to retail terminals across the country.
Every link requires huge logistical support.
"In recent years, transportation costs have been rising," Wang sighed, "The rise in oil prices and the increase in labor costs have directly affected our cost structure."
Uncle Zhang nodded thoughtfully, and suddenly thought of something: "What about R&D?" I've heard that cigarettes nowadays are trying to reduce harm. "
Staff Wang's eyes lit up: "You mentioned a key point. Our investment in R&D is indeed not small. "
He explained that tobacco companies have struggled to balance two seemingly contradictory goals: to minimize the health risks of smoking and to maintain or even improve the taste of cigarettes.
This requires significant R&D investment, including improvements to tobacco processing and filter technology.
"Every technological improvement is like walking a tightrope," Wang said, figuratively, "and it's not an easy task for us to balance health, taste and consumer acceptance."
He added: "Moreover, our country is a vast country, and smokers from place to place have different preferences for cigarettes. To meet these diverse needs, the pressure on R&D can be imagined.
Uncle Zhang couldn't help but sigh after hearing this: "It turns out that behind a small cigarette, there are so many ways!" No wonder the price is going up. "
When he left the tobacco company, Uncle Zhang had a new understanding of the tobacco industry. He realized that behind the change in cigarette prices, there was a large and complex industrial chain at work.
This visit gave him a new perspective on the cigarettes that he took for granted on a daily basis.
After leaving the tobacco company, Uncle Zhang came to the cigarette hotel he frequented. The owner, Xiao Li, is sorting out the newly arrived cigarettes and alcohol.
Uncle Zhang waved his hand, "Xiao Li, I'm not here to buy cigarettes today." I want to ask you why there are fewer and fewer cheap cigarettes now? "
Xiao Li smiled, "Uncle, you asked this question well." Actually, there is a lot of article in this. Have you noticed that people nowadays buy cigarettes not just for the sake of smoking?
Uncle Zhang looked puzzled, "It's not for the sake of smoking, but for what?" "
Xiao Li explained: "Nowadays, cigarettes, especially some high-end goods, have become status symbols. You see that some people participate in the party and take out a pack of beautifully packaged cigarettes, and the momentum is immediately different.
Uncle Zhang nodded thoughtfully, "I've heard of people giving cigarettes and alcohol." "
"That's right," Li said, "and tobacco companies have seen this. Look at the packaging of these new cigarettes," he said, pointing to a row of fancy cigarette cases on the counter, "how beautiful it is to take it out."
Uncle Zhang picked up a box and looked at it carefully, and had to admit that it was indeed exquisite. He remembered that when he was younger, cigarette packaging was nowhere near as elaborate as it is now.
Xiao Li continued: "Tobacco companies have invested a lot in product quality. They all want their products to show a fashionable and high-end temperament. Some of the packages even have an element of surprise hidden in them.
Uncle Zhang nodded again and again when he heard this, "No wonder the price has gone up." "
"What's more," Xiao Li lowered his voice, as if he wanted to reveal some secret, "Have you noticed that many brands have launched the middle branch now." "
"Zhongzhi? What is that? Uncle Zhang asked.
"It's a little shorter than ordinary cigarettes," Xiao Li explained, "although the tobacco leaves are used less, the price is more expensive." Why? It's not that I fancy the 'high-end' name.
Uncle Zhang suddenly realized, "I see." Those cheap cigarettes are really going to be extinct. "
Xiao Li smiled and said, "Not really. Some cigarettes have gone up in price, but sales have been better. People are like that, sometimes the more expensive things are, the more you want to buy them. "
He went on to share an interesting observation: "Did you know? Some people know that a certain cheap cigarette is more suitable for their taste, but they will still choose the more expensive one in social situations.
This is the so-called 'face project'.
After hearing this, Uncle Zhang couldn't help but sigh: "This cigarette, it's really not simple now." It's not just about curing addiction. "
Xiao Li nodded, "That's right." The tobacco industry is a bit like the liquor industry, both are affected by the 'face project'. Although the price of some cigarettes has risen, the sales are better; Some even use the strategy of 'cutting corners' and can still sell at a high price.
Uncle Zhang said thoughtfully: "Hearing you say this, I remembered it." A few days ago, I attended a gathering of old friends, and the cigarettes that everyone took out were indeed much more exquisite than before.
Xiao Li smiled: "That's right. Today's consumer demand for tobacco has evolved into the pursuit of status and economic power, and it is a display of personal image.
After hearing this, Uncle Zhang couldn't help but sigh: "The world has changed." A cigarette can reflect so many things. "
Xiao Li concluded: "So, the current strategy of tobacco companies is to keep those varieties that sell well and are moderately priced, and eliminate those products that are low in price and low margins.
That's why you feel that there are fewer and fewer cheap cigarettes.
After listening to this, Uncle Zhang had a deeper understanding of the changes in the tobacco market. He realized that cigarettes had become more than just a simple consumer product, but had evolved into a social symbol.
This change has not only affected the strategies of tobacco companies, but also changed consumer behavior.
With more questions, Uncle Zhang found his old friend, Li Lao, a retired professor of economics. The two sat in the study of Li's hometown, and the fragrance of tea was curling.
"Lao Li," Uncle Zhang asked straight to the point, "can you explain to me from the perspective of economics why there are fewer and fewer cheap cigarettes?" "
Professor Li pushed his glasses and said with a smile: "Lao Zhang, this is a good question. We have to look at it from several aspects. "
He started by talking about cost. "The ones you just mentioned, labor costs, logistics costs, R&D investment, these are real expenditures. For tobacco companies to stay afloat, these costs must be factored in.
Uncle Zhang nodded: "The price increase is understandable." "
"But that's only one aspect," Professor Li continued, "and another important factor is national taxation. "
He explained that the tobacco industry is one of the important sources of national tax revenue. "When formulating tobacco policies, governments need to consider the need for tobacco control and also weigh fiscal revenues.
This creates a delicate balance.
Uncle Zhang thought thoughtfully, "So countries with rising cigarette prices can actually benefit from this?" "
"So to speak," Professor Li nodded, "but there is also the issue of corporate profits. "
He further explained that it is normal for tobacco companies to pursue profit maximization as a business. "They weigh factors such as which products are highly profitable and sell well, and which products have low marginal benefits.
As a result, some low-priced, low-margin products may be eliminated.
Uncle Zhang suddenly realized, "No wonder those cheap cigarettes are getting harder and harder to buy." "
Professor Li continued: "You see, the tobacco industry is arguably one of the most astonishingly efficient and highly profitable industries in the mainland. But the rise in operating costs cannot be ignored.
"For example, the cost of transportation is now a foregone conclusion, and it is still rising," he said. In response, tobacco companies have had to resort to a strategy of raising prices to prevent damage to their own interests.
Uncle Zhang interjected: "How are those cheap cigarettes in the early days? "
"Many of the early cigarette manufacturing processes are quite rudimentary compared to today's production technology, and the prices are much lower than the current market level. In order to meet consumers' demands for both quality and price, tobacco companies have had to promote R&D and production transformation.
"The result?" Uncle Zhang asked.
"As a result," Professor Li said, "some of the cheap cigarette brands that were once popular have faded into obscurity." Although the price of some cigarettes remains the same, from the perspective of tobacco companies, they have invested huge R&D costs in exchange for unsatisfactory sales performance, which is undoubtedly a business dilemma.
Uncle Zhang couldn't help but sigh after hearing this: "It turns out that there are so many doorways inside. "
Professor Li concluded: "So you see, there are many factors involved in costs, taxes, corporate profits, etc. Tobacco companies are striking a balance between this, and the result is the market changes we are seeing now.
He added: "In a way, the tobacco industry has existed far beyond what it was originally designed to satisfy consumers' cravings. It is now an important economic engine, but it also faces complex social and health issues.
Uncle Zhang fell into deep thought after hearing this. He realized that behind a small cigarette, there were such complex economic principles and social realities. This gave him a deeper understanding of the tobacco industry, as well as the functioning of the economy as a whole.
After some investigation, Uncle Zhang had a deeper understanding of the reasons for the rise in cigarette prices. He went home and sat on a wicker chair in his yard, lit a cigarette and fell into deep thought.
"Price increases are inevitable," he said to himself, "so what should I do?" "
He recalls his smoking habit over the years. As a veteran smoker, it is difficult to calculate how much he spends on cigarettes each year. Once upon a time, he could choose between many affordable cigarettes, but now he is faced with a dilemma.
Uncle Zhang thought about a few options. Continuing to buy more expensive cigarettes? This will undoubtedly increase the financial burden. He remembered that he smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day, sometimes even two.
If this continues, household spending will certainly suffer.
Switching to other cheaper brands? But he worries that the taste may not be used to it. Over the years, he has become accustomed to a particular taste, and a hasty change may affect his smoking experience.
Still is... Quit smoking? Thinking of quitting smoking, Uncle Zhang couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knows that smoking is bad for his health, but it is not so easy to change his habits over the years. He remembers trying to quit smoking, but all of them failed.
"Maybe I should reduce the amount of cigarettes I smoke," he thought, "to save money and take care of my health a little bit." "
Just then, his grandson, Xiao Ming, ran in. "Grandpa, are you smoking again?" Xiao Ming wrinkled his little nose and said, "The teacher said that smoking is not good for health."
Uncle Zhang was stunned for a moment, looking at his grandson's innocent eyes, and a trace of guilt appeared in his heart. He touched Xiao Ming's head and said, "Grandpa knows, he will quit slowly."
At this moment, Uncle Zhang realized that maybe the price increase was not entirely a bad thing. If more people can be pushed to reduce smoking, it will be beneficial to society and individuals in the long run.
He remembered how often his wife nagged him to quit smoking, and now it seemed that it might be time to seriously consider that advice. Not only can you save money, but more importantly, you can think about the health of yourself and your family.
Uncle Zhang took a deep breath and made up his mind to gradually reduce the amount of cigarettes he smoked. He knows it won't be an easy process, but it's worth it for his own health and for the happiness of his family.
Perhaps he thought this was an unexpected positive effect that the tobacco industry's revolution would have on ordinary smokers.
As the sun set, Uncle Zhang snuffed out the cigarette in his hand. He looked thoughtfully at the last wisps of smoke that were rising. This journey of discovery gave him a new perspective on the tobacco industry.
The disappearance of cheap cigarettes is not only a simple price change, but also reflects changes in society, economy, health consciousness and other aspects. From the huge industrial chain to the transformation of consumer behavior, from the national tax policy to the business strategy of enterprises, every link is undergoing profound changes.
Both tobacco companies and veteran smokers like him face new challenges and options. But Uncle Zhang believes that as long as we work together, all sectors of society can always find a balance in this transformation and develop in a healthier and more sustainable direction.
The purpose of this article is to advocate positive social energy, without vulgarity and other bad guidance. If you are involved in copyright or character infringement, please contact us in time