First high-end food supermarket opens in Guangzhou

Guangzhou's first high-end food supermarket named TASTE opened in the China Plaza on February 2.

Imported apples, pumpkins and baskets filled with various goodies costing 100, 1,000 and 10,000 yuan each respectively attracted attention from numerous customers.

First high-end food supermarket opens in Guangzhou

Covering an area of 4,300 square metres, the Guangzhou-based TASTE outlet is a fashionable, modern and high-end food supermarket providing a wide range of Chinese and western-style food products. More than 17,000 top-class items from all parts of the world, including over 5,000 items imported from 40-odd countries such as Britain, the U.S., France, Italy, Japan and some Southeast Asian countries were presented before customers. At the same time, a food street combining Chinese, western, Hong Kong and Japanese-style snacks was built in the supermarket.

There is an Imported Fruit Zone in the most conspicuous section. "Shijieyi," apples from Japan are sold at 88 yuan each while "Jinxing" and "Luao" apples also from Japan are both sold at 160 yuan each. Costing 538 yuan each, sweet melons imported from Thailand are the most expensive fruit in supermarket's fruit category.

Prices for baskets filled with imported fruits, cubilose, abalones and shark fin are even more expensive with medium-sized baskets costing 3,998 or 6,998 yuan while the large and also most expensive basket costs 12,998 yuan. The cheapest is 388 yuan for a basket filled with only fruit.

Besides imported fruits, many fresh fruits transported from other provinces to Guangzhou by air can also be found at the TASTE outlet.

Many people visited the outlet as soon as it was opened. Ms Chen said, "The shocking prices of imported fruits really impressed me, but the vegetable and meat prices here are close to those in other shops. I will come here in the future because the decor is quite good and I live nearby."

The Guangzhou-based TASTE outlet was introduced into Chinese mainland by PARKnSHOP. Philippe Giard, managing director of PARKnSHOP Greater China said, "PARKnSHOP's differentiated food retail services in Chinese mainland are unique. We have successful operating experience both in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland. In addition, we know much about the Chinese market as well as the increasingly personalised and internationalised consumption habits and demands of Chinese consumers. We successfully operatenine TASTE shops in Hong Kong and are willing to bring our brand new ideas and successful experiences to Guangzhou, enabling our Guangzhou-based outlet to become the best supermarket in China."