An increasing number of retailers have started to realize that it is difficult to tap a wider market without a multi-format strategy, according to the report. Wal-Mart has been more aggressive with its Sam's Club opening plan and Sun Art Retail Group Ltd tested its convenience concept by launching its Cloud supermarket under the C-Store banner.

Carrefour also launched its first convenience store in Shanghai last year.

E-commerce channels continue to attract more Chinese shoppers, especially in such leading cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.