Lai Chee-Ying, Jimmy (1948 - )
Jimmy Lai was born in Guangdong in 1948. He illegally immigrated to Hong Kong when he was 12. Jimmy found Giordano in 1975. In 1990, Jimmy established Next Media Ltd. Its Apple Daily and Next Weekly are two of the most popular newspapers and magazines nowadays in Hong Kong. Jimmy expanded his media business to Taiwan in 2001. He owns wealth over 3 billion HK dollars. Jimmy is a creative businessman. He demonstrated his innovative ideas no matter in garment or media industry.
Garment Industry: Giordano
Under the leading of Jimmy Lai, Giordano has become one of the leading clothing retailers in Hong Kong and owned over 200 stores since the beginning of 1990s. Jimmy brought a new practice to staff management on the retail business: outstanding sales would be rewarded for double salary. This policy was totally new to clothing retail industry at that time. Besides, Jimmy initiated the policy of “free to try and change with requiring a reason” for Giordano. It gave great confidence to the customers and built a good brand image.
Media Industry: Next Media
Next Media Limited was found in 1990. What makes Jimmy Lai a creative businessman is that he has turned printed media into many innovative usages.
Turning Newspaper to Direct Selling: AdMart
AdMart was a Hong Kong online and phone retailer. Jimmy Lai used the enormous network and media coverage of his Apple Daily to turn a newspaper to a menu for direct selling. AdMart had been the hot topic in Hong Kong after few months it launched. Jimmy Lai’s creative business idea had fitted in many feature of the Hong Kong society at that period. First, it was in a downturn of economy, people were looking for economical alternatives other than traditional supermarkets. Second, the increasing unemployment provided sufficient manpower for the delivery service of AdMart. Third, Apple Daily was one of the biggest printed media in Hong Kong. AdMart enjoyed