OPENING 24 hours a day and conveniently located, convenience stores grew quickly in Qingdao last year.

    There are now 63 convenience stores near housing estates, transport hubs and business districts.

    With government subsidies and preferential policies in place, the city planned to open and reform 50 convenience stores at the beginning of last year.

    Apart from local brands Haoyide, Youke, and Zhencheng Supermarket, there is also the Japanese retail giant Aeon’s subsidiary Ministop. The four major brands, which have spent more than 30 million yuan (US$4.5m) opening new stores, logistics and e-commerce centers, had sales revenue rising by more than 30 percent last year.

    Haoyide and Youke each have more than 100 stores in the city.

    The city will provide more preferential policies to encourage companies to open more convenience shops near new residential areas, hospitals, bus stations and tourist attractions.

    (Chen Ting, He Jun)