(File photo)

4. The expansion of foreign-funded retail enterprises is slowing down. Foreign-funded enterprises are shifting their focus to convenience stores.

Foreign-funded enterprises in China are being hit by increasingly fierce competition, e-commerce and heavy rents. According to rough statistics, 158 major retailing outlets (excluding furniture and electric devices) closed during the first half of 2014. 118 of these (75 per cent) were foreign-funded enterprises.

Some foreign-funded enterprises are shifting their focus to convenience stores.