Market analysis: Retail in Beijing

04Apr2013

Retail brands in Beijing

China’s retail market is growing at a tremendous rate. In particular, the pace of development of the Beijing retail market has been astounding. In terms of the growth rate of retail sales, Beijing ranked 3rd nationwide, and 1st among the four municipalities. A couple large retail brands in the city include BHG, Ole, Auchan, Carrefour, Wal Mart and 7:11.

BHG(Beijing Hualian Group): Kellogg’s

BHG is a leading Chinese retail. There are three BHG in Beijing: the BHG Food Market and the two BHG Market Places. BHG is a lifestyle market headquartered in Beijing. BHG hypermarkets are committed to high quality, a low-price, good in-store customer service and a lot of variety in the food and general merchandise categories. The company has created its own produce base and fresh food processing and distribution center to satisfy its customer with fresh and healthy produce choices. BHG Market Place is a high-end supermarket, which is positioned to meet the needs of foreigners and local customers who desire a higher quality product selection and shopping experience. BHG Market Place provides international foods which mostly come from Italy, France or Japan such as natural vegetable, fruit, sea food, premium quality meat, ready-to-eat European foods and high quality wine.

Ole: Cotes d’Or

Ole means happiness and joy in Spanish. It is part of the Vanguard Group. It differs from the common supermarket in mainland China because it includes restaurants, leisure entertainment and shopping facilities that provide for goods and services for high-end customers and foreigners. There are three Oles in Beijing. The supermarkets sell all kinds of cheese, French wine, imported pastas and foreign fruits catering to the need of the upper class in Beijing.

7-Eleven

7-Eleven is part of an international chain of convenience stores, operating under Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Co. of Japan. In addition to the Slurpee and the Big Gulp, 7-Eleven owns several brands of foods and services, including Movie Quik, an in-store video-rental service; Citgo, the gas brand sold at many locations up until 2006; as well as Chief Auto Parts, which has locations adjacent to or near many 7-Eleven locations. The first 7-Eleven in Beijing was opened in 1996. It offered very few 7-Eleven brand name items like the Slurpee. However, it offered a wide array of warm food, including traditional items like the steamed, filled bun. The company also sells beverages, alcohol, candy, periodicals, and other convenience items. Although Beijing locations were originally planned to be open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., the majority of stores are open 24 hours every day to suit the lifestyle of Beijingers.

Daxue Market Research Company China

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