China Chain Store & Franchise Association

The China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) was established in Beijing, marking the beginning of China’s modern retail era. The founding conference was attended by senior government leaders including Vice Premier Li Lanqing and officials from the Ministry of Domestic Trade. CCFA’s establishment created a unified industry body that would lead China’s retail sector toward modernization, standardization, and internationalization.

CCFA hosted its first collaboration seminar with Walmart, sharing international supply chain and store operation best practices with Chinese retailers to break industry barriers. The same year, it translated FMI’s Category Management, introducing the core concept to China to guide scientific category planning, inventory control, and merchandising. Additionally, CCFA launched its official journal China Chain, recording the development of China’s retail industry and providing a professional platform for management insights and case studies.

CCFA launched the first China International Franchise Exhibition & Seminar, later evolving into the China Franchise Expo—the largest franchise exhibition in Asia. In the same year, it hosted the first China Chain Store Conference & Exhibition, the predecessor of CHINASHOP, connecting suppliers in logistics, cold chain, IT, and store equipment across the retail value chain.

CCFA released the inaugural China Top 100 Chain Stores ranking for 1999, with Lianhua Supermarket leading the list at RMB 7.3 billion in sales and 606 stores. The list became the benchmark for China’s retail development and expanded to cover FMCG, franchise, and service enterprises.

CCFA collaborated with the Hong Kong Hengxin Retail Education Foundation to establish the “CCFA Hengxin Scholarship,” launching China’s first scholarship program dedicated to cultivating young talent for the retail industry.

CCFA and Roland Berger conducted a nationwide “Out-of-Stock Survey,” identifying key inefficiencies in inventory and supplier management. Together with IBM, CCFA launched the Retailer–FMCG Cooperation Study, promoting supply chain collaboration. The Foodservice Committee was established to focus on food safety, supply chain optimization, and standardization, supporting brands like Quanjude and Xiabu Xiabu.

CCFA established the Food Safety Committee, initiating cooperative food safety governance among retailers and foodservice companies and contributing to national legislative efforts.

Following the Commercial Franchise Administration Regulation, CCFA assisted franchise enterprises in registration and compliance nationwide, guiding members toward regulatory alignment.

CCFA actively implemented China’s “Plastic Restriction Order,” promoting reusable shopping bags and sustainable retailing. Founder Guo Geping was honored as a “Pioneer of China’s Commercial Service Reform,” acknowledging CCFA’s contributions to retail modernization.

CCFA’s survey among Top 100 chains showed a 1.7 billion kWh reduction in electricity use. It upgraded its KPI Database, expanding to 100+ companies and issuing quarterly performance benchmarks.

CCFA introduced the “100 Low-Carbon Demonstration Stores” program, recognizing enterprises leading in energy-saving practices. It marked the beginning of large-scale sustainable retailing in China.

CCFA launched the Golden Lily Awards to recognize outstanding collaboration between shopping centers and retail brands. It hosted logistics and IT forums on cold chain, membership systems, and supply chain innovation.

CCFA released its annual Golden Store Manager awards, honoring 116 outstanding store managers across multiple retail formats, highlighting the importance of talent development in retail management.

CCFA and WWF co-founded the China Retail Sustainability Roundtable and launched the Green Consumption Week campaign, which grew from 80 to 2,000 participating stores. The WeChat accounts for CHINASHOP and the China Franchise Expo went live, and the two exhibitions were held concurrently for the first time, achieving strong synergy.

The Convenience Store Committee published the China Convenience Store Industry Report and City Convenience Store Index. CCFA introduced the Franchise System Maturity Evaluation Standard and hosted the 16th Retail Expo, exceeding 2,000 booths and 400 exhibitors.

CCFA promoted CO₂ refrigeration demonstration supermarkets, launched the mascot “Mengzai” for the China Franchise Expo, and introduced “Hi-shop” at CHINASHOP, symbolizing smart retail evolution.

CCFA collaborated with Deloitte to launch the Retail Digital Readiness Assessment. CHINASHOP introduced China’s first SHOP! Awards competition. CCFA celebrated its 20th anniversary by recognizing innovative exhibitors and launched the “Alliance Plus” online franchise service platform.

CCFA celebrated the 20th anniversaries of CHINASHOP and the China Franchise Expo, launched the Golden Wing Awards, and established the Private Label Committee to promote innovation and supply chain synergy.

CCFA and 36Kr released the New Tea Beverage White Paper, offering the first structured study of the fast-growing sector. CHINASHOP hosted 680 exhibitors and 5,700 booths, setting new records.

CCFA launched the “Brand Talk Live” and “Online Franchise Night Market” livestreams, and CHINASHOP introduced the Retail X-LAB innovation stage. The CCFA Direct app went live, digitalizing industry communication.

CCFA was recognized as a “National Advanced Social Organization.” The Retail Technology Application Committee was launched to explore AI, IoT, and smart retail innovations.

CCFA achieved “5A Social Organization” status. It proposed rent relief, insurance, and tax reduction policies to the State Council

CCFA worked with the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) and the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development (IAED) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to promote the sustainable circulation of agricultural products, supporting greener and more efficient supply chains.

CCFA released the Retail Store Digital Empowerment Report featuring the 5P model and published the Generative AI in Retail White Paper, mapping the future of AI-driven retail operations.

CCFA launched the China Restaurant & Tea Beverage Global Top 50 initiative, published the China Retail Distribution White Paper 2025 with Ernst & Young, and hosted the Retail Store Reimagination II seminar focused on AI adoption and data-driven retail.