Gome, China's largest home appliances chain store, is set to become the country's largest outlet for Samsung products after signing an agreement with the electronics company to sell 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion) of Samsung merchandise over the next two years.

Under the agreement, Gome will sell Samsung's whole line of home appliances, including televisions, refrigerators and mobile phones. Their cooperation comes on the heels of a 50-billion-yuan (US$7.4 billion) sales agreement between Gome and Haier, indicating a change in the traditional relationship between retailers and suppliers.

"They've turned from sellers and buyers to co-workers," said Liu Buchen, an industry observer. "They now develop products and operate stores together."

Liu said to expect more suppliers to sign similar agreements with retailer chains like Gome and Suning, another electronics retailer giant in China.

China's business press carried the story above on Tuesday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.