Comvita to open store in Shenzhen

Natural health product company Comvita is to open a store in one of China's largest shopping malls, the MIXc shopping complex in Shenzhen.

Consumer division manager Scott Coulter said the new store was part of a long-term strategy to place Comvita products at the "high end" of the Chinese consumer market and to develop an international brand.

The mall, near the Hong Kong border in the Guandong region, was well positioned to service seven million residents and a growing tourist trade.

Coulter said a local presence and employing local staff were crucial to expanding sales and developing the brand.

The store was a good fit with Comvita's duty-free contract with the China Duty Free Group.

"Air passenger traffic in China is expected to top 104 million passengers this year. When you consider that has risen from 87 million passengers in 2003, our decision to target the travel and tourism market is proving to have promise."

Coulter would not disclose the store's likely contribution.

"We have a good plan, we are following that plan and now we just have to remain focused and build on the solid base we have."

This year, the company's sales in Asia had grown 35 per cent.