Convenience stores to lead retail push

Improvement in business environment helps companies post robust growth rates, consider expansion, reports Wang Zhuoqiong.

Convenience and online stores were the fastest-growing sectors in China's retail market last year, while hypermarkets and department stores lagged far behind, according to a report.

With smaller size and closer proximity to younger consumers, convenience stores clocked a 25 percent year-on-year growth in terms of sales. Online retail stores, on the other hand, grew by 48.7 percent, said the China Chain Store & Franchise Association.