The Beijing municipal government recently issued "Several Measures to Promote the Development of Convenience Stores," outlining 19 measures in support of the construction and development of convenience stores in Beijing.

According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, future residential projects in Beijing shall reserve spaces for convenience stores, which would have 10 to 20 square meters of store space per 1,000 residents, and each residential community must have at least one convince store.

In addition, chain convenience stores will be introduced to public spaces like schools, stadiums, hospitals, parks, metro stations and sci-tech parks. Furthermore, store warehousing shall be integrated into the three-tier logistics system comprising logistics bases, logistics centers (parks) and distribution outlets.

The municipal government will provide financial support in this regard, as it commits to contribute 50 percent of the total investment on a convenience store, capping at 5 million yuan (US$721,000). For commercial convenience facilities in conformity with the policy requirements, they will get a fixed-asset subsidy amounting to 30 percent of the total investment.

In terms of applying for food business license, companies engaged in the convenience store business will be able to get the license within five working days. Meanwhile, the companies will be allowed to increase food varieties, and chain convenience stores will be able to sell Class B OTC drugs. The restrictions on obtaining the permits to produce and sell machine-made drinks will also be loosened.

According to reports, by continuously optimizing the business environment for convenience stores, Beijing plans to increase the number of chain convenience stores in the city to more than 6,000 within three years, so that each residential community can have at least two chain convenience stores.

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