Opening “at the auspicious moment”

Shanghai Meilong is the location of Obi’s sixth superstore in China, opened on 19 July 2003 “at the auspicious hour of 9:18” according to a press release. The store, which is the group’s third in the Shanghai metropolitan area, was established in the basement of a 28 000 m² complex of buildings. Obi’s partner Macalline offers its range of furniture on the upper floor. The new DIY store is the second project of China Homeworld Co. Ltd, the joint venture between Obi and the Chinese white goods manufacturer Haier. The company plans to open 50 stores in China by 2007, and by 2010 there should be 100 Obi outlets in operation in the country.