China's Supermarket Sector Shifts as Walmart Leads and New Retail Formats Gain Ground

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AsianFin -- China’s supermarket sector is undergoing a deep structural transformation as new retail formats and regional powerhouses gain ground, according to the “2024 China Supermarket TOP100” list released by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) on Wednesday.

Total sales among the top 100 retailers reached approximately 900 billion yuan ($124 billion), marking a modest 0.3% year-on-year increase. However, the total number of stores dropped 9.8% to 25,200—signaling a contraction in traditional formats even as revenue concentration among top players continues to rise.

Walmart (China) retained its top spot for the fourth straight year, generating 158.8 billion yuan in sales—up 19.6% from a year ago—largely on the strength of its fast-expanding Sam’s Club membership model. Alibaba-backed Preshippo broke into the top three for the first time, posting 75 billion yuan in sales and expanding to 420 stores.

Meanwhile, traditional hypermarket chain Yonghui Superstores saw its sales fall by over 12 billion yuan to 73.2 billion yuan, with store count plunging more than 23%, underscoring the continued struggles of legacy formats.

Among mid-tier players, regional supermarket operator Pang Dong Lai stood out with 8.1 billion yuan in revenue generated from just 12 stores, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of localized players with optimized supply chains and community-focused models.

The top 10 companies accounted for 66.6% of total sales—up from previous years—reflecting a strengthening “Matthew Effect” as market leaders consolidate share. Membership and discount stores emerged as the key growth engines.

Sam’s Club added six new outlets in 2024, bringing its total to 53. Paid membership climbed past 9 million, while membership fee income jumped more than 35%. U.S. warehouse retailer Costco, with just seven locations in China, reported 8.7 billion yuan in annual sales.

Discount chains such as Hotmaxx (operated by Xinguo Technology) and Aldi are expanding rapidly into lower-tier cities with streamlined product offerings and value-focused pricing models, carving out new market territory.

At the same time, online channels are playing a growing role. Online sales contributed 16.9% of total revenue for top 100 supermarket chains, supported by front-warehouse infrastructure that improves last-mile delivery efficiency.

After years of consolidation and closures, many retailers shifted focus in 2024 to business model reforms aimed at enhancing store efficiency and customer experience. According to CCFA, 75% of supermarket companies implemented operational reforms this year, and most saw growth—primarily in the 10–20% range, though some stores posted gains above 50%.

Retailers such as CR Vanguard, Lianhua, and Better Life are experimenting with private-label expansion, SKU optimization, and hybrid retail models that blend grocery with foodservice.

CR Vanguard has refreshed 50 stores, slashed its SKU count, and boosted its private-label penetration to 15%. Lianhua’s Zhonghuan store cut SKUs by 60%, introduced over 5,000 new products, and saw a 35% year-on-year increase in sales within a month of relaunch.

Qingdao Lida Supermarket eliminated 10,000 slow-moving products and revamped its layout, while WuMart’s “supermarket + dining” concept attracted more than 2,000 diners per day at some locations, lifting both dining and grocery sales.

At the 2025 China Supermarket Conference, industry leaders emphasized the need to embrace a “circulation revolution” and transform supermarkets into full-service platforms, moving beyond channel management toward integrated logistics, supply chain, and customer engagement.

Wang Hongtao, VP and Secretary-General of CCFA, noted that regional leaders like Pang Dong Lai, Xinyulou, and Bestore are driving growth by localizing operations and building proprietary supply chains.

Capital University’s Professor Chen Liping projected that China will witness the rise of wholesale and retail operators with over one trillion yuan in annual transaction volume over the next decade—particularly in the intermediate circulation layer that is ripe for integration with AI, big data, and automation.

As digital transformation accelerates, supermarket companies are being pushed to invest in data-driven inventory management, last-mile logistics, and differentiated product portfolios. Analysts at Retail Business & Finance said that industry sustainability will increasingly depend on logistics capabilities, technological integration, and the ability to shorten the distance between “warehouse” and “store.”

While leading national and regional players push forward with innovation, smaller supermarket chains face mounting pressure. The threshold to enter the TOP100 list has fallen from 560 million yuan in 2022 to 480 million yuan in 2024, signaling a downward shift at the bottom of the industry.

Looking ahead, the supermarket sector appears headed for a dual-track future—where dominant players grow through model innovation, and lagging players risk exit unless they reinvent operations. The industry’s long-term growth will rest on its ability to transcend format limitations, unlock digital efficiencies, and build resilient, consumer-centric ecosystems.