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Chinese retail chain Lianhua plans to open 350 new outlets across China this year, bringing its total to 5,500 stores, reports NamNews.

Lianhua said around 180 of the 350 planned outlets will be c-stores located in cities such as Beijing and Hangzhou, according to the article.

No investment figure was provided.

C-stores accounted for just over 6 per cent of group revenues during 2011, but reported a 6.7 per cent rise in sales for the year, higher than any of its other formats.

Lianhua Supermarket was established in Shanghai in 1992 and now operates a nationwide retail chain.

The firm reported strong growth in profits and sales in 2011.