January 2006

China's Gome electronics retail chain plans to expand by more than 200 stores this year as it prepares for tougher competition from US rivals.

LJ International reported that its China retail division, ENZO, has just opened its 20th retail store in China, well-ahead of its goal of at least 40 retail stores by the end of 2006.

Deep Field Technologies announced that it has entered into a definitive securities exchange agreement with Beijing Sino-US Jinche Yingang Auto Technological Services Ltd. ("AutoMart").

Informatics Holdings's franchisee in Hainan has dropped a suit against the company.

One of the world's largest economy lodging operators, Super 8 Hotels China announced the official opening of the first Super 8 Hotels China Area Partner Office in Xiamen this week.

Pick Ups Plus, a retail company that specializes in the automotive aftermarket accessory and environmental protection businesses, announced that its Auto Preservation Division has now completed the initial order received for its ValuGard Environmental Protection…

Germany's Metro, the third largest trader and retailer in the world, is speeding up its expansion in China.

Edward Lehman and Richard Wageman of the China based law firm Lehman, Lee and Xu have been selected by Who's Who Legal as the only expert franchise legal counsels in China.

According to figures announced by the Ministry of Commerce, 70,000 supermarkets opened across rural China in 2005.

Cendant TDS' latest market survey shows that the bills of 30% of online hotel reservations in China have not been fulfilled due to the lack of credit card popularization and relevant measures taken by travel…