Chinese grocer QKL to open some 20 stores in 2010

New York City Chinese grocer QKL Stores said it plans to open at least 20 stores this year, bringing its total to more than 56 by the end of the year.

The company now has 39 stores, including 30 supermarkets, six hypermarkets and three department stores. It opened two new supermarkets in the first three months of the year, and one department store so far in April.

The company has more than 20 projects under construction or about to start, and two store renovations and two relocations.

QKL said its new Harbin-based distribution center will open in late April.

CEO Zhuangyi Wang said the distribution center will help the company expand even faster.