Planet Retail 17 Nov 2009

In China, Carrefour's hypermarkets are applying some adjustments to improve their performance. Prices of fresh products have been aligned to those offered at the traditional wet markets. Buying is generally done directly as has been allowed since 2007. A law has authorised farmers to regroup into co-operatives enabling Carrefour to obtain the required volumes and quality, said Eric Legros, Managing Director of China. 95% of the assortment in Carrefour hypermarkets is procured in the country.

Planet Retail 13 Jul 2009

Tesco will continue to invest in Asia despite the global economic downturn. "We had terrific success and we are the biggest retailer in Asia. It is important for us to expand as there are still huge opportunities in Asia, including China and Japan," said Andrew Higginson, Tesco's CEO of Retailing Services. Higginson said that Tesco plans to spend GBP3.6 billion (USD5.11 billion) this year on capital expenditure to support growth around the world, of which slightly more than half will go to the Asian markets.

Planet Retail 16 Feb 2009

China will use the experience of Wal-Mart and Carrefour in expanding its domestic chain retailing industry, particularly in bringing discount chain stores and supermarkets to rural areas. Local press quoted Vice Minister of Commerce Jiang Zeng-wei as having said that expanding domestic consumption is a long-term national policy but that the central government's effort and fiscal support is not enough. He said the retail market will need to be commercialised and market-driven and the government will provide policy support or subsidy if needed. The government believes the establishment of several major chain retailing companies will lower costs for consumers and help improve management of social and price stability as well.

Planet Retail 25 Nov 2008

RT Mart hopes to become the largest foreign hypermarket operator in China in 2009 through its strategy of setting up stores in rural areas in addition to stores in first and second tier cities. RT Mart China CEO MT Huang said his company will continue to expand market share in the local market and predicts that in the next decade, the company will achieve 30% annual growth in revenues and a 40% year-on-year profit increase. The company stated that it would increase its outlets to 102 by the end of this year, meeting the goal set by the company's chairman YL Yin several years ago. Huang believes the penetration into rural areas will be the decisive factor in leading China's wholesale market.

China Calling Posted Friday, November 14, 2008 by Manuela Zoninsein 

Melamine has been found in nearly 10 percent of milk and yogurt samples from three of the biggest domestic dairy companies in China: Mengniu, Yili and the Bright group. These large producers have borne most of the blame in China's tainted milk scandal. Yet small-scale farmers -- whose role in the dairy industry has been relatively ignored -- are crucial if China is to avoid another such crisis, says Marc de Ruiter, founder and owner of Yellow Valley, an artisanal cheese company based in Shanxi Province.

Washingtontimes.com 18 Oct 08. Story by William Foreman, Associated Press

LOUDI, China - Maoming, Wuhu and Loudi.

They're Chinese cities so far in the boonies that Lonely Planet doesn't even bother to mention them in its popular travel guide. But Wal-Mart has found them, as the company makes an aggressive push into China's smaller markets. 

But experts warn there are risks in smaller markets. People are not as well-off, so it's harder to turn a profit. Local suppliers may be less reliable, a concern in a country plagued by quality scandals.

Planet Retail  22 Oct 2008

Wal-Mart has taken "the next step in its sustainability journey" by hosting a gathering of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials and NGOs in Beijing, China. The company outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain.

Planet Retail Perspectives 20 Oct 2008:
By Manu Ghai and Yujun Qiu, Retail Analysts, Planet Retail

• Rising property prices in India are making it difficult to find land for new outlets 
• Major retailers such as Reliance are closing stores to remain profitable 
• Relentless expansion in China no longer viable in major cities due to competitive pressures

In the future, retailers likely to be more prudent with their store opening plans 
Despite growing demand for modern outlets in India and China, retailers are beginning to see that rapid expansion does not always pay off. In India, higher operating costs, resulting from rising property prices and food price inflation, are impacting retailers' expansion plans, while in China some companies are scaling back growth because of competitive pressures. Market conditions are therefore forcing companies in these two countries to look long and hard at their expansion to stay in shape for the future.

New York Times 11 Oct 08

BEIJING - Chinese leaders are expected to allow peasants to buy or sell land-use rights for the first time, a step that could draw hundreds of millions of farmers more firmly into the market economy, now centered around the cities.

Planet Retail 17 Sep 2008

According to local Chinese press reports, the Ministry of Commerce has entrusted its provincial departments to approve new foreign funded commercial enterprises. Previously, all foreign funded commercial enterprises and investment had to be approved by the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. As in retailing, permission to open new stores greater than 3,000 square metres will now be delegated to the provincial level instead of Beijing. It is estimated that the new process will reduce the time from months to days. However, the Ministry said its provincial departments are adjusting to the new policy and it is not sure of the exact details yet.