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In 2007, China Nepstar substantially increased its market penetration incoastal cities with relatively high household disposable income, where italready had a presence. These cities include Shenzhen (from 202 stores as ofDecember 31, 2006 to 311 stores as of December 31, 2007), Dalian (from 127stores to 174 stores), Guangzhou (from 123 stores to 161 stores), Hangzhou(from 102 stores to 144 stores), Ningbo (from 73 stores to 96 stores), DongGuan (from 75 stores to 94 stores), Suzhou (from 54 stores to 70 stores),Tianjin (from 23 stores to 66 stores), and Shanghai (from 46 stores to 60stores).
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Mr. Qian Jiannong, Chief Executive Officer of China Nepstar, commented,''2007 was an exciting year for us as we continued our growth momentum andmarket penetration. During the year, we added 556 stores to our nationalchain drugstore network. In response to the continued and rapid growth of theChinese urban population and buoyant residential real estate development inurban areas, we have accelerated the average pace of our new store openingsfrom one new store a day in 2006 to nearly one new store every 15 hours in2007.''
''Compared with developed countries, the retail healthcare industry inChina has much room for future growth,'' Mr. Qian added. ''The increasingdemand for higher living standards, including greater access topharmaceuticals, together with the soaring healthcare requirements of an agingpopulation, makes China one of the fastest growing healthcare markets in theworld. China Nepstar is dedicated to providing consumers with broaderproducts and service offerings, ensuring the high quality of our products andexpanding our geographic reach. Moreover, we continue to focus on maximizingshareholders' value.''
About China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.
China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd. (NYSE: NPD) is China's largest retaildrugstore chain. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had 2,002 stores across62 cities, one headquarter distribution center and 11 regional distributioncenters in China. China Nepstar uses directly operated stores, centralizedprocurement and a network of distribution centers to provide customers withhigh-quality, professional and convenient pharmacy services and a wide varietyof other merchandise, including over-the-counter ("OTC") drugs, nutritionalsupplements, herbal products, personal care products, family care products,and convenience products including consumables. China Nepstar's strategy ofcompetitive pricing, customer loyalty programs and private label offerings hasenabled it to capitalize on the robust economic growth in China and to takeadvantage of the demographic trend in China to achieve a strong brand andleading market position. For further information, please go tohttp://www.nepstar.cn .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statementsconstitute ''forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A ofthe Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statementscan be identified by terminology such as ''will,'' ''expects,''''anticipates,'' ''future,'' ''intends,'' ''plans,'' ''believes,'' ''estimates''and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management inthis press release contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involvecertain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differmaterially from those in th
