France-based Carrefour will accelerate its pace of new store openings in China this year, China Business News reports, citing a person from the retailer's local operations. The grocery retailer will open 30 new stores in China in 2012, up from 20-25 new openings per annum in recent years, the report said. Carrefour has reported fourth quarter like-for-like sales falling 6.1% due to mild weather which impacted non-food item purchases combined with tough legislation restricting mark-downs.