City’super plan to open more stores in mainland
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Upmarket Hong Kong supermarket operator City’super says it is planning to expand on the mainland.
Currently the company has four supermarkets in Hong Kong and five in Shanghai. It opened its first store in Times Square in Causeway Bay in 1996 and its first in Shanghai’s IFC Mall in Pudong in 2010.
President Thomas Woo said that the company believes there is an opportunity to serve the increasing ranks of middle class Chinese consumers who are growing a taste for premium foods.
The company will initially focus on the Yangtze River Delta outside Shanghai.
Woo says mainlanders seem more ready to spend on items such as imported liquor than Hongkongers.
“We felt that the potential on the mainland has yet to be tapped by City’super,” he said. “We don’t aim to expand across the mainland, but we are setting eyes on the affluent region of East China.
“We felt that there is no wealth gap between mainland and Hong Kong shoppers. Chinese consumers’ attitude about life has become more exquisite as they pay more attention to food origins to ensure healthy eating.”
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific regions on the mainland will City’super initially target for its expansion?
Which specific regions on the mainland will City’super initially target for its expansion?
The company will initially concentrate its expansion efforts on the Yangtze River Delta, which is located outside of Shanghai. They are specifically focusing on the affluent region of East China for their growth plans.
Q.What is the primary reason City’super believes there is an opportunity for expansion into mainland China?
What is the primary reason City’super believes there is an opportunity for expansion into mainland China?
City’super sees an opportunity to cater to the growing number of middle-class Chinese consumers. These consumers are developing a preference for premium food products, which aligns with the supermarket's offerings.
Q.How many City’super supermarkets are currently operating in Shanghai?
How many City’super supermarkets are currently operating in Shanghai?
City’super presently operates five supermarkets in Shanghai. The first of these stores opened in Shanghai's IFC Mall in Pudong in 2010, establishing their presence in the city.
Q.What difference has President Thomas Woo observed in spending habits between mainlanders and Hongkongers regarding certain items?
What difference has President Thomas Woo observed in spending habits between mainlanders and Hongkongers regarding certain items?
President Thomas Woo has observed that mainland consumers appear more willing to spend on items such as imported liquor compared to shoppers in Hong Kong. He notes that mainlanders are paying more attention to food origins for healthy eating.
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