Retail Trade and Distribution

Hong Kong and Macao investors allowed to engage in wholly-owned retail grain business in Guangdong.

“Ke jixu goumai” (“The deal is on”) is the phrase that spurs Chinese consumers to use online group buying websites. The SAIC is taking action to regulate this rapidly expanding market that has led to fraud, fake products and price hikes

The revised Measures require a franchisor to disclose the actual investment amounts of its franchisees. Confidentiality requirements of franchisees are also elaborated.

MOFCOM's latest bid to strengthen commercial franchising will protect trade secrets and increase fines for providing false information during promotional activities. The Measures represent China's commitment to regulating this large, but young market

As franchising increases in China, the Ministry of Commerce has released new measures for greater disclosures, including more information when signing agreements.

Record filing may be done locally for franchises that operate in more than one province.

The Catalogue has been revised since the 2007 revision. Venture investment enterprises and intellectual property services are added to the encouraged category while the manufacture of assembled automobiles is removed from the category.

Thresholds for levy of value-added tax raised.

China's consumer code is due for an update. A number of innovations to the current law are being discussed for an upcoming draft, including the right of revocation, data protection and class actions