DAQING, China, July 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- QKL Stores Inc. ("QKL" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: QKLS), a leading regional supermarket chain in Northeastern China, today announced the implementation of a state-of-the-art logistics management system in its new Harbin-based distribution center.
Logistical capabilities of the new 19,600 sq. meter distribution center, which commenced operations on April 26, 2010, include the utilization of logistical solutions from Manhattan Associates' ILS(TM), a warehouse management systems provider serving many of the world's largest retail companies. This implementation will allow QKL to better customize its shipping options (pallet, case, split case) and introduce accelerated distribution techniques such as cross-docking and flow-through. The solutions will be integrated with QKL's radio-frequency (RF) technology, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other systems.
The Company's new distribution center is currently delivering 3,000 SKU's (stock keeping units) of grocery and non food items, 10,000 cross docking items and shipping over 60 fruit and vegetable varieties from more than 40 farms and farming cooperatives in Shandong, Hubei and Guangdong provinces. QKL intends to add another 3,000 SKUs in 2010, bringing the total number of SKUs of grocery and non food products delivered to 6,000 by year end.
Mr. Alan Stewart, QKL's Chief Operating Officer, said, "The new system will improve our operating efficiency, further enabling us to improve our profitability and continue to provide our customers with high quality products. We are pleased to utilize state-of-the-art technology, which allows the distribution center to seamlessly handle shipments to all of our existing stores and enables it to support up to 200 store locations. Having an advanced management system allows us to maximize our operating synergies and facilitates our expansion plans."
Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, QKL's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "With the distribution center now fully operational, we are poised to accelerate the opening of our stores planned for this year. Additionally, we are constantly evaluating and taking action to improve the performance of our existing stores. We have just completed the renovation of the 'East Lake' supermarket in Daqing, Heilongjiang, which we reopened on May 26th, and the store now offers an additional 400 sq. meters of selling space. We are pleased with the development of our operational execution ability and the progress of our store opening plan. We will continue to update the investment community on our latest business developments."
About QKL Stores Inc.:
Based in Daqing, China, QKL Stores, Inc. is a leading regional supermarket chain company operating in Northeastern China. QKL Stores sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh food, and non-food items, through its retail supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores; the company also has its own distribution centers that service its supermarkets. For more information, please access the Company's website at: http://www.qklstoresinc.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company's services and projects and the Company's continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements.
For more information, please contact:
QKL Stores, Inc.
Mike Li, Investor Relations
Tel: +86-459-460-7987
ICR, Inc.
In U.S.:
Bill Zima
Tel: +1-203-682-8200
In China:
Yuening Jiang
Tel: +86-10-6599-7965
