Suning Opening 78 New Stores In China By End 2009

Chinese electronics retailer Suning has announced plans to open 78 stores in December, including 41 new stores and 37 that will be reopened after renovations.

These 78 stores will be located in 55 key cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Nanjing. With the opening of these stores, Suning's nationwide network distribution will be further improved, optimizing its three-layer store structure of flagship stores, central stores, and community stores.

While focusing on the expansion of stores, Suning is also working on the improvement of its operating quality. The company's financial report for the third quarter of 2009 showed that sales from its individual stores increased by 4.82%, which is about 10% higher than the industry average.

Of the 78 stores to be opened in December, five are super stores that make further improvements in sectors such as smart devices and entertainment-related electronics. The five stores, including Tianhe store in Guangzhou; Shangmao Square store in Nanjing; Sijiqing store in Beijing; Changning store in Shanghai; and Wuyi Square store in Changsha, will have respective operating areas of over 10,000 square meters and expected annual sales of over CNY300 million for each.