Wal-Mart Plans 30 New Chinese Stores In 2014

Wal-Mart China will open about 30 high-quality stores and more distribution centers as an important step for its three-year development plan announced in October 2013, according to a recent company statement.

In addition, Wal-Mart will continue to invest CNY580 million in 2014 to upgrade its over 55 existing stores to improve store operation and customer experience.

Sean Clarke, Wal-Mart's newly appointed China president and chief executive officer, said that in 2014 Wal-Mart will continue to meet the market demand and accelerate their business upgrades in China. They will focus on long-term investment and quality growth. To achieve these goals, Wal-Mart constantly improves their operational management, and invests and builds more stores and logistics centers, aiming to enhance operating efficiency, lower costs, and further improve price competitiveness. Meanwhile, they ensure product quality and safety to provide a better offering to customers.

In October 2013, Wal-Mart announced plans to accelerate its development in China. Based on the plans, Wal-Mart will build 110 new sites from 2014 to 2016, including stores and distribution centers, and provide over 19,000 new jobs. In 2014, Wal-Mart will open new shopping squares and Sam's Clubs. Its shopping squares will not only be located in first- and second-tier Chinese cities, but also will reach more third- and fourth-tier cities to better serve the emerging consumer group during the urbanization process in China.

Meanwhile, the company plans to launch two new Sam's Club stores in Wuhan, Hubei province, and Changzhou, Jiangsu province, respectively, in 2014.