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Supermarkets in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Zara Olifent Zara Olifent Beijing, China Last Updated: May 2024 6512

Revenue

$255.5bn

2024

$270.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

1m

Businesses

1,770

Wages

$X.Xbn

Supermarkets in China industry analysis

The Supermarket industry in China is expected to grow at an annualized 5.7% over the five years through 2023, to total $255.5 billion. This includes a 6.3% jump in the current year. The main drivers of growth have been the government's program to establish a national rural retail network and strong growth in consumer purchasing power.In February 2005, the Central Government began an ambitious program to build a national rural retail network within five years, covering approximately 70% of all villages. Distribution infrastructure improvements and support from local governments have allowed supermarket operators to expand into these rural areas. As a result, establishment numbers are expected to increase steadily at an annualized 2.8% over the five years through 2023, to total 10,888.Apart from supermarkets and hypermarkets, many industry operators also operate convenience stores and discount stores (about 35% of total participants were engaged in more than four formats of business). However, the management processes in these stores have little variation, with different store formats sharing the same purchase and delivery centers. In the early development phase of industry, many players found opportunities in different supermarket formats and established stores of various sizes. Conversely, foreign enterprises were more focused on hypermarkets.According to an industry survey, Chinese consumers have a low loyalty level with supermarkets. This trend is closely related to the fact that the Supermarkets industry is in a phase of rapid development. A stable market has not yet formed, new stores and formats are constantly emerging, and consumers have many choices in terms of new shopping experiences.Total revenue for the Supermarkets industry in China is forecast to increase at an annualized 5.2% over the five years through 2028, to total $329.3 billion. Industry growth is anticipated to remain steady as the number of supermarkets increases and consumer demand continues to expand.

Trends and Insights

  • The increase in disposable income has boosted consumption. People and families with high levels of disposable income have stronger purchasing power, and the amount of consumption to go to shopping malls is greater.
  • Food is the main product segment in the industry. Supermarkets offer a variety of food products, fresh, canned and frozen, that cater to various consumer preferences.
  • Industry revenue is largest in East China. In cities such as Shanghai in East China, average income levels are higher than in other regions in China.
  • A good shopping environment can attract customers. Most consumers prefer to go to supermarkets with good environments and shopping experiences.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $255.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The increase in income level has inflated supermarket revenue

  • In the first half of 2013, growth in China's retail sector slowed. Industry revenue was estimated to increase by 11.0% in 2013, to total $137.9 billion. In 2014, revenue rose by 9.8%. In 2015, industry revenue grew by an estimated 8.0% to $163.6 billion.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Supermarkets in China
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Mergers and acquisitions strengthen the competitive advantage of enterprises

  • The industry is in a growth phase, but is moving toward maturity. With the proliferation of supermarkets of all sizes and types, inefficient operators will be driven out of the increasingly competitive market.

Biggest companies in the Supermarkets in China

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($short_0)
2023

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Supermarkets in China industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Supermarkets in China
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Food, Beverage, wine and tobacco products and Apparel and clothing. Food is the largest segment of the Supermarkets in China.

Trends and Insights

Food is the main product segment

  • Food is the main product segment in the industry and is expected to account for 54.2% of industry revenue in 2023. Supermarkets offer a variety of food products, fresh, canned and frozen, that cater to various consumer preferences.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Supermarket industry in China is part of China's retail trade sector. Supermarkets retail a broad range of food and daily goods. Most of the goods carried by supermarkets are purchased from domestic manufacturers. Operators, generally known as supermarkets or hypermarkets, then retail these goods to the general public.

What's included in this industry?

Grocery retailingSupermarket operationsHypermarket operations

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

HYPERMARKETSSUPERMARKETSPOINT OF SALE (POS)

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The increase in disposable income has boosted consumption. People and families with high levels of disposable income have stronger purchasing power, and the amount of consump...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Food is the main product segment in the industry. Supermarkets offer a variety of food products, fresh, canned and frozen, that cater to various consumer preferences.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Industry revenue is largest in East China. In cities such as Shanghai in East China, average income levels are higher than in other regions in China.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

A good shopping environment can attract customers. Most consumers prefer to go to supermarkets with good environments and shopping experiences.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Supermarkets throughout the country. The company expanded its scale by opening chain stores. supermarkets are almost located in major cities throughout the country.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Government market regulation limits revenue growth. For example, government regulation of commodity prices, strict control of quality standards, and protection of consumer ri...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    The rental investment in the store is high. Supermarkets are generally opened in the busy areas of cities, with large traffic and high rental costs.

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Supermarkets industry in China in 2024?

    The market size of the Supermarkets industry in China is $255.5bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Supermarkets in China industry in 2024?

    There are 1,770 businesses in the Supermarkets industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Supermarkets industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Supermarkets industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 5.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Supermarkets industry in China over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Supermarkets industry in China is expected to grow.

    What does the Supermarkets in China include?

    Grocery retailing and Supermarket operations are part of the Supermarkets industry.

    How competitive is the Supermarkets industry in China?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Supermarkets industry in China.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Department Stores & Shopping Malls in China
    • Pharmacies & Drugstores in China
    • Online Shopping in China

    Complementors

    • There are no industries to display.

    International industries

    • Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US
    • Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US
    • Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters in the US
    • Ethnic Supermarkets in the US
    • Online Grocery Sales in the US

    View all industries in China

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in China include:

    • National Bureau of Statistics China
    • General Administration of Customs
    • People’s Bank of China

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.