Walmart China will open its first perishable food distribution center in China and is making other efforts to grow online sales in the country.
Walmart plans to launch its first perishable food distribution center in Dongguan, Guangdong province, China Daily reported. The retailer will invest more than 700 million yuan (USD 104 million) in the center, the largest investment by Walmart since it entered the Chinese market 22 years ago, Tan Wern-Yuen, president and CEO of Walmart China, told the newspaper.
Walmart China’s e-commerce sales reached a revenue growth of 150 percent year-on-year, a third consecutive three-digit rise, Wern-Yuen added.
Walmart plans to build or renovate at least a dozen tailor-made distribution centers in the country to provide better fresh food to Chinese customers, according to Wern-Yuen.
The move is the latest in Walmart China’s aggressive fresh food expansion. Fresh food accounted for one-fourth of Walmart China’s overall sales in 2018.
Walmart China also plans to continue to grow its Marketside fresh foods private brands. Overall, the retailer's private brands grew 30 percent in 2018.
Meanwhile, revenue at Sam’s Club rose 8 percent last year, and the retailer added four new Sam's outlets. It also rolled out one-hour delivery services in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing.
