News from a commercial working meeting in Wuhan is that in 2010, the city will launch a series of measures to optimize its business functions, to improve the quality of consumable items for citizens, and to achieve over 15% growth of total retail sales.

Four government departments in Beijing — Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, and Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce — have jointly announced a development guidance catalog for Beijing's distribution industry in 2009.

Beijing-based retailer Jingkelong has published its annual report for 2008, which states that its total revenue increased by 18.7% year-on-year to CNY6.694 billion while its net profit increased by 25.8% year-on-year to CNY157 million.

While most electronics companies are busily cutting staff, Chinese electronics retailer Gome has announced plans to hire 20,000 migrant workers for its four subsidiaries in China.

International sports apparel maker Nike has announced plans to invest USD99 million to build a new distribution center in the Taicang Economic Development Area, Jiangsu, to reinforce its future development in China.

Jiang Yong, vice president for Suning Appliance, said at a meeting held in Changsha, Hunan that the company would maintain a rapid and stable growth in 2009 by opening at least 200 new stores across China, of which at least 10 out of the 200 stores would be located in Hunan.