Last year, Wal-Mart opened in 28 shopping plazas and two Sam's Club stores in China, and has invested nearly 500 million yuan to upgrade 45 existing stores, to bring customers a better shopping experience. This year, Wal-Mart will continue to invest in the country by upgrading 55 existing stores.
In Anhui, Wal-Mart will invest 18 million yuan in upgrading the Shuguang Hefei store, which has been open for nine-years.
Wal-Mart China Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bo Rui, said: "It has been a while since we opened some of the stores and we are unable to meet consumer needs, which is why Wal-Mart is following up on upgrades to the store hardware and software, optimizing its sales area, line design, displays, parking, traffic conditions, and improving its energy saving facilities, etc. This is to enhance shopping mall operations and the customer shopping experience. This upgrade will help Wal-Mart stores raise the overall quality of its stores and will help achieve quality growth."
Wal-Mart entered the Anhui market in 2005 and currently operates 17 stores in Hefei, Wuhu, Lu'an , Fuyang, Bozhou and 10 other cities, with about 376,000 customers a week. At the same time, Wal-Mart will attract quality suppliers from Anhui into Wal-Mart’s procurement system, creating about 2700 jobs for Anhui.
Committed to becoming the trusted retailer for consumers, Wal-Mart’s performance in corporate social responsibility, food safety, customer service and excellence in the Anhui market has gained nearly 30 government honors and has become the internship partner of the West Anhui Institute, along with the Science and Technology of Defense Institute.
Wal-Mart has a good reputation and has stable development in the Anhui market. Over the next three years, with the implementation of their strategies, including 110 new stores and distribution centers, the Anhui market will also be developed. Currently Wal-Mart is actively locating sites in the Anhui Province. Wal-Mart Supercenter's and Sam's Club stores will likely also open in the Anhui market.These are all possible future developments for Wal-Mart in China.
Wal-Mart Hypermarket Senior Operating Officer, Hanxia Lin said: "Anhui is located in China 's most economically developed east China, with rapid economic development in recent years, and has a huge consumption potential. This is why Wal-Mart has been eyeing the development of the Anhui market. In the future, there will be more Wal-Mart high-quality goods and services for customers in Anhui . "
