GENERAL Merchandise Stores (GMSs) operator JUSCO Stores (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. opened its first Shenzhen outlet yesterday.

　　The store, to be officially opened tomorrow, is located on the first floor of the basement in the newly built CITIC City Plaza, Shennan Road Central. With a total floor area of 19,900 sqm, its departments include fashion, daily necessities, fast food and a supermarket. It also has 23 specialty stores providing services such as laundry, shoe repairs and film processing.

　　“In terms of variety, 30 percent of the products on shelf will bear Japanese brands, including those imported from Japan and made in China,” Masahiko Oga, general manager of Shenzhen JUSCO Friendship Stores Co. Ltd., said yesterday.

　　Asked why JUSCO chose Shenzhen as the first leg of its South China expansion plan since retail competition was fierce here, Oga said one reason was for the sustainable development of the city’s economy.

　　Another was its proximity to JUSCO Hong Kong, which helps with a worldwide sourcing network and management know-how.

　　According to Oga, JUSCO plans to set up nine more outlets in South China in the next five years.

　　The opening of the Shenzhen store adds its total number of stores in China to 14, with eight in Hong Kong, two in Qingdao and three in Guangzhou.

　　JUSCO Hong Kong was one of the few that stood firm in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.

　　The Japan-based AEON Co. Ltd., the parent company of JUSCO Hong Kong, has 30 years of experience in operating retail business with GMSs as its core business.

　　With more than 300 GMSs in the world, AEON Co. Ltd. is the second largest department store in Japan in terms of turnover and profit.