METRO, which did not rush to make expansion in the past, planned to take greater steps this year, according to reports yesterday. “METRO will accelerate its expansion plan with at least ten new openings in China this year,” said He Zhewei, president of METRO China, in an interview with National Business Daily. METRO saw no more than seven new stores annually from 2001 to 2011 in Chinese market.

 

“Chinese market is strategically important for foreign retail giants,” said Cui Hong, a senior partner of Zhengjian Consulting, who added that Chinese market was their haven under such economic conditions.

 

In addition, Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco already quickened their expansion steps in China last year.