网络销售与实体店将共存

Facing the rising e-commerce wave, traditional retailers insist they have the advantage. Zhou Jing, head of a department store in Shenzhen, says they are confident in their business.

"When it comes to general merchandise, we have the advantage. Apart from the fact that we have rich categories of items for sale, consumers are able to experience the items they are buying; they can touch the items and try them when shopping here."

Large one-stop shopping centers have been hit by the fast growing e-commerce.

Statistics show that the sales volume for 100 major traditional retailers nationwide in 2011 saw an increase of about 18 percent over the previous year, but in the first half of 2012, the increase was at about 11 percent. The numbers indicate that the increasing rate in traditional retail is slowing but still growing.

Comparatively small stores are really feeling the sting. Cheng Yongjiang, department manager for Yintai department store, has this to say:

"Online shopping is enlarging the market share. It's not just about e-commerce taking more market shares from traditional retailers, like small shops, supermarkets and street shops; it's also about e-commerce expanding the market."

With fierce competition between e-commerce and traditional retailers, China's consumer market has been expanding.

According to Mckinsey & Company, an international consulting firm, China's individual consumption will continue its rapid growth, with an increase of 9 percent year-on-year for 2012 to 2030.

Facing the growing market, both e-commerce and traditional retailers have been making adjustments to adapt to the market. While these online shopping platforms fight their competitors, traditional retailers are making efforts to start their own online business.

Wan Donghui is deputy secretary of China Electronic Commerce Association.

"More and more traditional retailers have started to make effort in "Offline to Online", which means the traditional stores and shops strive to create their own online platforms. This is the trend we have seen."

Expert Yi Shaohua from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says that, although online shopping is going to play bigger role in the retail industry, it's impossible to replace traditional retailers completely.

For CRI, I am Zhang Wan.