Big-name firms get to grips with Web revolution

Sam's Club, the premium and membership retail format of the world largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc, joined forces in November with its sister company Yihaodian, one of China's leading e-commerce platforms for fast-moving consumer goods.

Earlier this year, Wal-Mart also launched its smartphone application Express Buy to take advantage of the O2O boom, as well as taking control of Yihaodian.

French retailer Carrefour SA is expanding its e-commerce business. In June, the French retailer launched its online shopping mall which offers products from its three stores in Shanghai, with delivery to customers 24 hours after the order is placed.