Japanese convenience stores plan to expand aggressively in China, where they see vast new markets being created by rapid urbanisation. But they face the challenges of a retail culture of poor service and shoppers who value thrift over convenience.
The market promises to be lucrative for the host of companies – domestic and foreign – that are looking to expand there, with sales expected to reach Rmb63.6bn ($10bn) in 2015, up from Rmb36.1bn in 2010, according to Euromonitor.
Teng Yue, a retail analyst with Euromonitor, says the number of convenience stores in China is expected to grow 11 per cent per annum this year and next, with foreign and local operators planning significant expansion.