Foreign retailers expand presence in Shanghai
Sam's Club announced on Dec 9 that it will soon open its seventh store in Shanghai, located in Pudong New Area, reinforcing the city's position as the market with the most Sam's Club outlets nationwide.
The new Pudong location will bring the chain's total presence in China to 62 stores.
Shanghai overtook Shenzhen in 2023 to become the city with the most Sam's Club outlets, with six stores at the time.
The retailer's latest expansion mirrors the broader momentum of foreign investment in Shanghai's retail sector.
From January to October this year, the city welcomed 848 new "first stores", according to data from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. A "first store" refers to a brand's inaugural brick-and-mortar location in a particular area, city, country, or region.
Among these, 13 represented a brand's first store globally or in Asia, while 134 were first in China or on the Chinese mainland. Together they accounted for 17.3 percent of the total, featuring brands from the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Germany and other countries.
Major debuts this year include Hoka's first global experience center and Coach's first global resort-themed store.
Foreign retailers in Shanghai are adapting to market changes by elevating customer experiences, improving price-to-value ratios, and strengthening digital engagement and community outreach.
A notable example is The Louis, Louis Vuitton’s new landmark space on West Nanjing Road, which integrates exhibition, dining, and retail. Its exhibition had attracted more than 360,000 visitors by mid-November.
Sam's Club said its upcoming Pudong outlet will offer a wider range of high-quality, affordably priced products, including avocados sourced from Spain.
Source: Jiefang Daily
