Its old one is outclassed by the cool efficiency of Lianhua's distribution centre in north-west Shanghai.

ECONOMIST: Retailing in China

Xu Lingling, chief financial officer at Lianhua, says that whereas big foreign players, such as Carrefour, have taken top sites in large cities, Chinese chains may be better suited to mid-sized towns where productivity is lower.

ECONOMIST: Retailing in China

Bailian Group of Shanghai, whose domestically well-known businesses include the Shanghai Friendship Group and Lianhua Supermarket, led a list of top chain stores in China published by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association earlier this month.

FORBES: Bailian Tops List Of China's Biggest Chain Stores; Walmart, Yum! Make The Top 10