Chinese shellfish and processing firm Zoneco (Zhangzidao) is crediting a ramp up in its stores with a 12.6 percent year-on-year increase in revenue for the first half of 2017.
The firm now claims to have 4,000 stores operating across China selling its processed and fresh seafood products –including imports. Zoneco attributes a 242 percent year-on-year jump in profits for the first half of the year to “superior all-channel” distribution chains through traditional and online formats.
While it’s not clear if all the stores are self-owned or franchised, the firm has made a considerable effort to develop “leisure” products such as cooked seafood snacks for younger generations of consumers. Chinese food companies have long used the strategy of opening stores in cities as a means to increase sales and marketing presence.
