SHANGHAI, China, April 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China-Biotics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CHBT) (“China-Biotics,” “the Company”), a leading Chinese firm specializing in the manufacture, research, development, marketing and distribution of probiotics products, today announced it opened 33 additional Shining(R) retail centers in the first quarter of 2008. Currently, the Company has a retail network of 60 stores in six major cities in China.
“We are very excited to see the growing momentum of our retail strategy across China,” said Mr. Jinan Song, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China-Biotics. “By strategically locating our Shining retail centers, we are now distributing probiotics to customers in Northeast and Southeast China, in addition to Shanghai, where we opened our flagship store. We look forward to further growth in our higher-margin retail strategy as we establish a broad network across diverse geographies in order to serve our customers, who are looking for solutions for a healthier life.”
Among the 60 retail centers, the Company operates six in Changchun, two in Longyan, two in Jiaxing, two in Zhengzhou, two in Jilin and 46 in Shanghai. Excluding stores opened in Changchun and Shanghai, these cities are new markets for China-Biotics. Further expansion is expected in inland Chinese provinces, such as Hunan and Sichuan.
Located in commercial and residential areas, most Shining centers are between 535 and 760 square feet and offer 10 products, including the Company’s flagship product, Shining Essence. The others are Shining Signal, Shining Energy, Shining Golden Shield (in adult and children’s dosages), Shining Stomach Protection, Shining Protein Powder, Shining Beauty Essence, Shining Sicanel and Shining Companion Bifidus Factor.
“We will continue to capitalize on our expanded presence to introduce new products to customers on a timely basis. We expect to launch 30 additional products in 2008, most of which will be distributed through our retail stores,” said Mr. Song. “We remain on target to operate approximately 300 Shining stores by April 2009.”
About China-Biotics, Inc.
Headquartered in Shanghai, China-Biotics, Inc. (“China-Biotics”, “the Company”) was founded in 1999 and is one of China’s largest suppliers of probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria used as dietary supplements and food additives to improve intestinal health and digestion. The Company’s product portfolio contains live microbials made with proprietary technology. Currently, these products are sold over-the-counter under the “Shining” brand through large distributors to more than 1,000 pharmacies and 100 supermarkets in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Shining is one of the most recognized brands in Shanghai. China-Biotics plans to expand its retail sales to other major cities in China and will launch 300 Shining brand logistic centers in these cities during the next two years. The Company’s flagship product, “Shining Essence”, has been a profit driver since its launch in April 2001. There is a significant demand for probiotics for use in the bulk additive market, which is currently met by imports. China-Biotics is building a new plant which will increase its production capacity manifolds to capture this market. For more information, please visit http://www.chn-biotics.com .
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to market existing and new products, ability to access to capital for expansion, and changes from anticipated levels of sales, future national or regional economic and competitive conditions, changes in relationships with customers, dependence on its flagship product profits and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information, please contact:
CCG Elite Investor Relations
Crocker Coulson, President
Tel: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com
