China Fruits boosts retail network

Chinese fruit wholesaler and exporter China Fruits Corporation expanded its store network to 64 shops in 2014.

The franchised network, built and operated by its subsidiary Taina International Fruits, stood at just 13 at the end of 2013. Now the company is set to expand the branded store network nationwide.

CFC specialises in tangerines, which it grows, as well as wholesaling and exporting produce. But it is find retailing a lucrative arm of the business, catering to the increasing number of Chinese seeking fresh produce from reliable sources in the wake of a growing number of food safety scares in recent years.

Besides its physical store network, China Fruits is selling on more than 10 well-known e-commerce platforms, including Tmall, JingDong mall, Taobao, yhd.com, Gome.com.cn – and has built its own official online store.

In 2014, the Taina Fruits eCommerce generated approximately $1 million in revenue, representing a growth rate of 100 per cent every month. It has been rated number one in online sales of fresh fruit in Beijing area since its launch in August 2014.

China Fruits says it achieved a Chinese eCommerce record last year, selling 218 tons of winter jujube fruit within just 39 days.

“We plan to devote into developing e-commerce in 2015, which is going to be a significant component of our business expanding strategies,” said Quanlong Chen, chairman and CEO of the US-listed China Fruits Corporation.

“Being a leading company of fruit e-commerce in China is always our goal and direction.” The company has raised capital internationally to strengthen its branded franchise fruit retail stores and plans to “dig deeply in this niche”.