The Sichuan-based convenience store chain Wowo has received a USD10 million investment from the private equity firm ARC Investment Partners and the Chinese retailer is now preparing for listing on Nasdaq to become the first Sichuan retail company that is listed in the United States.

The global ice cream brand DQ has entered the market in Shannxi Province with the recent opening of two stores in Xi'an.

Carrefour China western regional manager Arnaud Dupont said that the group plans to open five new stores in Sichuan province over the next three years.

Trust-Mart has recently opened its second store in Mianyang, Sichuan Province — the first new large-scale supermarket to be opened in Sichuan Province following the May 12 earthquake.

To rebuild commercial outlets and ensure market supply in the Wenchuan earthquake areas, the Ministry Of Commerce has decided to build 5,000 convenience stores in these areas by the end of August 2008.

The Ministry of Commerce has donated 500 trucks to Sichuan Province to set up mobile supermarkets in the disaster areas.