Overview of International Brands in Chinese Supermarkets

China's supermarket system is highly internationalized, with many large chain supermarkets offering both local products and a wide range of international brand items. Below are some international brand supermarkets and common imported goods categories that you may encounter:

1. International Chain Supermarket Brands

1. Walmart (Walmart)
2. Characteristics: The world’s largest retail brand, with stores in major cities across China.

3. Common International Brands:

   • Food: Heinz, Kraft, Nestlé, Lindt
   • Daily Chemicals: Procter & Gamble (P&G), Unilever, Colgate
   • Baby Care: Mead Johnson, Pampers

4. Sam's Club (Sam's Club)

5. Characteristics: A high-end warehouse-style supermarket under Walmart, requiring a membership card (foreign passports are supported).

6. Import Highlights: Australian beef, New Zealand dairy products, Italian olive oil, American nuts, etc., in bulk packaging.

7. Carrefour (Carrefour)

8. Characteristics: European chain brand, covering first- and second-tier cities in China.

9. International Brands: President butter from France, Carbonell olive oil from Spain, Beck’s beer from Germany, etc.

10. METRO (METRO)

11. Characteristics: German chain, mainly catering to hotel and catering procurement, but also open to individual shoppers.

12. Specialty Goods: European wines, German sausages, imported seasonings (such as Japanese miso, Korean chili paste).

13. Costco

14. Characteristics: American warehouse-style supermarket, with branches currently opened in cities like Shanghai and Beijing.
15. Popular Products: Kirkland Signature private label, American health supplements, Australian milk powder, etc.

2. High-End Import Goods Supermarkets

1. Ole’ and BLT (under China Resources万家)
2. Positioning: Focused on high-end import goods, commonly found in shopping centers in first-tier cities (such as Beijing SKP, Shanghai IFC).

3. Special Categories:

   • Dairy Products: Lactel milk from France, Meiji yogurt from Japan
   • Snacks: Walkers biscuits from the UK, Godiva chocolates from Belgium
   • Daily Necessities: Shiseido (Japan) hair care, Aesop (Australia) skincare

4. City’Super

5. Features: Hong Kong chain brand, with stores in Shanghai and Beijing, focusing on niche Japanese, Korean, and European-American brands.
6. Highlights: Japanese Wagyu beef, French foie gras, organic cold-pressed juices, etc.

3. Japanese and Korean Supermarkets

1. Ito Yokado (Ito Yokado)
2. Distribution: Chengdu, Beijing, etc.

3. Characteristics: Japanese snacks (such as Royce chocolate, Calbee chips), Japanese bento boxes, cosmetics (such as Kao steam eye masks).

4. AEON (AEON)

5. Features: Japanese chain, with branches in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, etc.
6. Products: Japanese seasonings (soy sauce, mirin), stationery (such as Pilot pens by Bic), household items.

4. International Brands in Convenience Stores

1. 7-Eleven, LAWSON, FamilyMart
2. Common Products:
   • Beverages: Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Evian mineral water
   • Snacks: Lay’s potato chips, Oreo cookies, limited-edition Japanese KitKat flavors
   • Ready-to-eat meals: Korean Spicy Chicken Noodles, Japanese rice balls

5. Practical Suggestions

1. Payment Methods: Most supermarkets support WeChat/Alipay, while some high-end supermarkets accept international credit cards (Visa/MasterCard).
2. Expiry Dates: Pay attention to the production date and shelf life on the Chinese labels of imported goods.
3. Price Comparison: Bulk-packaged goods at warehouse-style supermarkets (like Sam’s Club, Costco) offer better value for money, suitable for long-term visitors.
4. Location Choice: Convenience stores operate 24 hours a day and are densely distributed, making them ideal for purchasing small items urgently.