Chung Han-gi, president of the 1004 Mart, a supermarket located on Hongquan Road, Shanghai, said this, adding, "Even though this store was originally open for Korean customers, there are more locals than Koreans these days." With ten locations in major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou, the 1004 Mart sells mostly Korean-made food items.

 

He said, "Due to the effect of the Korean Wave and the spread of anti-Japanese emotions after the flare-up of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands dispute, Korean foods have become more popular among Chinese consumers. The reason he tries to open a new store in CITIC Plaza in the middle of Shanghai next May is to target high-income white-collar consumers there.

 

According to Mr. Chung's reckoning, the most promising Korean food items that will sell well in China included instant coffee mix, seafood, and milk. "In Shanghai most of whose residents are sweet tooths, Korean-made coffee mix products are gaining popularity. The sales of other fresh foods such as oyster, sea squirt, bell pepper, and milk are also on the rise," he added.