The China Convenience Stores Prosperity.......>

CHINA: The China Convenience Stores Prosperity Index (CCSPI), which was created

at the end of June along with the China Shopping Malls Development Index

(CSMDI), was 73.95 in the second quarter, 1.7  points higher than the first

quarter, reflecting "stable and rising confidence" in the sector, the Ministry

of Commerce said Thursday at a briefing in Beijing. The index gauges market

confidence in convenience stores' sales, revenue and profit growth. The

increased investment in the sector and the emergence of automated convenience

stores without salespeople also boosted the confidence of owners, managers and

workers in the sector, the ministry said. But the report also showed that

managers and operators of convenience stores are concerned about rent, utilities

and employment costs, according to the ministry.