During Starbucks' recent investor conference, the company announced plans for even greater China growth.

The South Korean retailer Lotte has announced that it will focus on the Chinese market in its overseas expansion and it is planning to open 20 new department stores there by 2018.

News from Procter & Gamble is that Daniela Riccardi, its president for Greater China, will leave the company and will be replaced by Shannan Stevenson, the current vice president for P&G's Western Europe Laundry division.

The international apparel retailer Hennes & Mauritz has announced that the company plans to open 225 new specialty stores around the world in 2009, and its first specialty store will be opened in Beijing this spring.

According reports from local media, Tiens Group has closed its only supermarket in Beijing — the outlet operated under the brand name of BannerStore.

After a seven-month discussion, Lancel has finally signed a cooperative agreement with Fairton to jointly explore the mainland China market.