A member store funded by the US-based Wal-Mart, the world's largest chain store retailer, is to open in Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, at the end of July this year.
This store is the 12th branch of the corporation's China business chain, which involves a total investment of 1.1 billion yuan.
In 1996, the corporation opened its first Asian member store and shopping plaza in Shenzhen, one of the country's first special economic zones in Guangdong Province.
Two years ago, a shopping plaza under Wal-Mart opened in Kunming.
Called the Sam Member Shop, the member store is supposed to only serve those who have the membership cards. It is predicted that more than 100,000 people here will buy membership cards.
There are a total of 4,000 Wal-Mart member stores in the world, including 500 called Sam Member Shop.
(Xinhua 05/10/2001)
