Taiwan's convenience stores stop growing

Taiwan's convenience stores are suffering from a highly competitive market as the growth in number fell to a new six year low in 2015, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

Data from the FTC reveals that Taiwan´s five major convenience store chains - 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart and Million – opened just 53 new sites in 2015, the lowest growth in six years. In total the five major retailers operated 10,027 outlets last year.

Tobacco, beverages, boxed meals, sandwiches and hot food were the most welcome items in convenience stores, according to FTC.

The total number of customers at convenience stores reached 2.91 billion last year, similar from a year earlier and showing the slowdown in expansion.