Suning planned to open 5-8 Laox stores in Beijing this year after starting the first one in Nanjing last year. Laox is a comprehensive format that combines home appliances and general merchandise. Suning’s general manager Hou Enlong said yesterday that the retailer has chosen sites for their new stores and they were expected to open for business as early as May 1. 

Suning, which purchased the Japanese appliance chain in 2009, is planning to open a greater number of Laox stores around the country this year and to operate its outlets with two brands—Suning and Laox. The retailer said that Laox will adopt differentiated management and will offer home products, toys, watches and food. The store count will increase by 30 this year.