Britain's largest retailer Tesco plans to buy 2.2 billion pounds worth of finished goods in China in 2008 as the country becomes its most important overseas supplier as well as a key retail market.

 

The hypermarket giant now buys 60 percent of its internationally made goods in China and works with over 300 vendors in the world's most populous country, said Ken Towle, CEO of Tesco China.

 

The nation is also a significant destination for investment.

 

Tesco formally opened its first superstore under its own brand in Beijing yesterday.

 

Located in the central business district, the store covers 8,000 square meters and is expected to receive 8,000 customers a day.

 

In December, Tesco boosted its stake in local hypermarket chain Hypemall from 50 percent to 90 percent, paying 180 million pounds and taking Hypemall's 46 stores into its network.

 

"China is a great place for customers and has a lot of competition," said Towle. "We hope our share is as good as that of our competitors."

 

(China Daily February 8, 2007)