Center

Chain stores attract more shoppers

By Jiang Jingjing (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-04 09:27

He said the anti-monopoly law and urban retail network planning rules would be launched within the year, which could lead a healthy development of the sector.

Huang also revealed that the government was reviewing regulations detailing relations between retailers and suppliers.

He stressed that the relationship should be market-oriented and that the authorities had no intention of interfering.

The government only aims to guarantee a pleasant, competitive environment and boost healthy co-operation between all parties, he said.

Huang added that the MOC had pledged to develop 15 to 20 major chain store firms that would be well known internationally.

Local protectionism is a big obstacle for domestic chain stores and it should be abolished, Huang said. "Otherwise there is no way for chain stores to expand into other areas."

He said the ministry eliminated many local rules last year relating to local protectionism and would continue the campaign.

The chain store format is also expanding into China's vast rural areas.

According to the statistics from the MOC, there were 68,000 standard convenience shops in rural areas last year, a figure expected to grow to 100,000 within the year.

Huang said the coverage rate of such shops in villages and towns is expected to reach 85 per cent by 2010.

"Actually in eastern coastal provinces, every village already has one convenience store."