In recent years, we have established a sound infrastructure and mapped out a series of strategies in three main directions to realise our goal for long-term growth.

The first core direction is to re-vitalise AEON Stores as a “lifestyle new concept store.” In the second half of 2016, AEON STYLE, a proven concept adopted by the AEON Group from Japan, was launched in Kornhill Store and Whampoa Store completing their transformation. These new concept stores not only fulfil our “Everything we do, we do for our customers” credo, but also provide a brand new shopping experience that truly satisfies customers’ wants and thus have been well-received by the market since their launch.

Secondly, we will sustain the pace of our business expansion in the PRC, one of the world’s fastest growing economies with enormous potential, as well as our major growth driver in the future. In view of the improving living standard and growing purchasing power of residents in the second-tier cities, in addition to our strong foothold in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, etc, in Guangdong Province, we are planning to capture the opportunities in those cities to deepen our penetration and consolidate our solid position in South China.

The third direction is to expand our business through a more rapid addition of small specialty stores. The Group is also laying the groundwork to realise the synergies from fully utilising the resources of Japan’s AEON Group and accelerate the opening of the small specialty stores adapted from Japan, such as the beauty and health concept shop “AEONBODY” and the popular Japanese lifestyle variety shop “R.O.U.,” particularly in Hong Kong. As these specialty stores become more popular and mature in their operation, we would establish a wider store network and bring their quality merchandise to a wider swath of customers.

We will diligently strive to effectively implement the above strategies in a prudent manner and be flexible in our approach at the same time in view of further challenges in the markets where the Group operates. The effectiveness and speed of implementation of these strategies, together with the efforts in controlling rising operating costs will doubtless be critical to the future success of the Group.

In 2017 we celebrate the 30th anniversary of AEON Stores. We take this special occasion as an excellent opportunity to highlight our core value and solidify our foundation for future development. With a successful history of 30 years, we look forward to becoming a retailer that is embraced by everyone in the next 30 years. We aim to realise the potential of the Group by further strengthening our concept of “business operations that completely satisfy our customers.” The Group is committed to work diligently and offer quality products and services, and continue to conscientiously serve the community as we always have!