Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co., Ltd. ("Lianhua Supermarket" or the "Company") commenced its business in Shanghai in 1991. In the past 20 years, it has developed into a nationwide chain retail operator with a full range of retail segments, expanding through a combination of organic growth, franchises, merger and acquisitions. As at 31 December 2010, Lianhua Supermarket and its subsidiaries (the "Group") oper-ated a total of 5,172 outlets (excluding those operated by the Company's associated companies) spanning 19 provinces and municipalities across the nation. The Company has maintained its leading position in the fast moving consumer goods retail industry in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") enterprises. Lianhua Supermarket was one of the first Chinese retail chain operators to be listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock Exchange"), on 27 June 2003.