Online shops in China often sell clothes and cosmetic products, but an online supermarket is now attracting attention in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province.
The owner, surnamed Wang, said the idea of the online supermarket came to him because his fast-paced life and inclement weather left him little time to buy food in an ordinary market.
The virtual supermarket stocks various kinds of vegetable, meats, seafood, fruits, instant noodles and cooking oil, and offers home delivery, Fuzhou Evening News reports.
Many people found the concept of buying food online too different from the norm, and two years ago shop was forced to close. Wang spent nearly two years taking notes on his friend, who ran a successful online supermarket in Guangzhou.
When Wang restarted his business, he targeted customers in specific communities in the city.
Customers must subscribe to Wang's Web site, and no fewer than nine of their neighbors must also place orders in the supermarket. All orders must be submitted by 10:00 p.m. one day in advance, and only order of more than 20 yuan (about 3 US dollar) can enjoy free delivery service.
The supermarket sends couriers to produce markets at 4 o'clock every morning to purchase food according to customers' orders, and then arrange door-to-door delivery service.
Wang says more than 600 subscribers now visit his supermarket, over 100 of whom place orders frequently. The supermarket can handle ten to 20 orders per day.
Wang says he is satisfied with the current level of business and hopes to provide better service to customers and boost his supermarket's reputation in the future.
(CRI August 6, 2008)