China Travel Notes & News

Wal-Mart in China U.S. retailer Wal-Mart will soon open a new office in Shanghai. The company recently signed an agreement with an investment group in Shanghai to expand Wal-Mart's presence in East China. Wal-Mart entered China's retailing market in 1996, when a Sam's Club store and shopping plaza opened its door for business in Shenzhen of Guangdong Province. Currently Wal-Mart operates a total of 22 stores in 9 Chinese metropolitan areas. In Beijing, a Sam's Club will open in 2003, which will be the first of five planned for the country's capital - two Sam's Clubs and three supercenters. Not to be left behind, other major international players are rushing in too. In May of this year, Germany-based Metro Group, the world's third largest retail chain, signed a contract with the municipal government of Tianjin to open a store in the city within 12 months. Tianjin is one hour's train-ride east of Beijing. Back to China Notes and News