Suning Announces Expansion Plans For Shanghai

Suning's Shanghai headquarters has announced plans to open 20 new electronics stores in Shanghai in 2009, covering 12 districts including Minhang, Baoshan, Pudong New Area, Xuhui, Jing'an, Huangpu, and Fengxian.

At present, Suning has opened more than 50 stores in Shanghai and by the end of 2009, the company is expected to have over 70 stores, occupying more than a half of the total market share of the city.

Ling Guosheng, executive president for Suning's management headquarters in Shanghai, said that although the current economic situation is not good, Suning's expansion acceleration has been methodically planned. According to Suning's previous "631 plan", about 60% of these new stores will be opened in the border areas of urban and suburban districts, 30% will be opened in the outskirts and counties, and 10% will be opened in urban districts of Shanghai. At the same time, about 30% of these new stores will be flagship stores.

Ling said so far over 30% of Suning's stores in Shanghai were flagship stores and the company had obvious advantages over competitors like Gome and Best Buy in single store quality and output in this market.