On Nov 8, the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai played host to the signing ceremony of the Large Retail Purchaser Alliance of the Shanghai Trading Group on the sideline of the 7th China International Import Expo.

Member enterprises seized the opportunity to ink contracts with company representatives and manufacturers from diverse corners of the globe, spanning the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Asia. The procurement spectrum encompassed a wide array of products, ranging from essential food items and consumer goods to cutting-edge medical devices.

Pu Shaohua, president of Bailian Group, took the stage at the ceremony as the voice of the Large Retail Purchaser Alliance. He proudly announced that major retail players of the alliance had successfully clinched deals amounting to a substantial 3.7 billion yuan ($517.36 million) across 56 projects since the commencement of the expo. Notably, 26 of the deals were made during the ceremony.

The roots of the alliance trace back to its establishment in 2018, coinciding with the inaugural CIIE. Over the years, the alliance has witnessed remarkable growth, with its roster of member retailers increasing from 21 to 40, with three new additions welcomed this year.

The enterprises that participated in the procurement ceremony said they will continue to leverage the CIIE platform to elevate their procurement endeavors. By harnessing this influential platform, they aim to amplify the acquisition of top-tier products and services, catering more effectively to the discerning preferences of Chinese consumers.

Gu Yingjie contributed to this story.