Taking the online route to expansion

Unlike many of its peers, Tong Ren Tang has been exploring several new options such as e-commerce for sustained growth. The company plans to have 20 authorized online stores on various e-commerce platforms by June this year, according to company officials.

The traditional Chinese medicine producer already has 14 online stores at platforms like Tmall.com and Yhd.com. "We will add another six stores," said Zhang Qingzeng, deputy general manager of China Beijing Tong Ren Tang Group Co Ltd.

Last year, the company achieved a turnover of 44 million yuan ($7.17 million) from online sales, Zhang said.