Are you planning a trip to China, or have you recently started your life here? Supermarkets in China are more than just places to buy groceries. They are experimental hubs for the world's most advanced retail technology and a concentrated look into local food culture.
The secret to a successful shopping trip in China is not finding the cheapest place, but knowing which supermarket fits your specific needs. Since each supermarket has its own distinct personality rather than just price differences, here is a breakdown of the top five major supermarkets in China.
1. Hema Xiansheng (盒马鲜生, Freshippo)
Not just a supermarket, but an urban lifestyle platform
Hema Xiansheng is the iconic symbol of New Retail created by the Alibaba Group. The name Hema sounds exactly like the Chinese word for hippopotamus, which is why you will see a cute blue hippo mascot throughout the store. This friendly hippo branding makes the supermarket feel approachable and fun, especially for families. More than just a grocery store, it is a high-tech platform that integrates delivery, picking, prepared meals, and private label experiments in one space.
On-site observation points
Look up at the ceiling. You will see shopping bags traveling along a conveyor rail. When an online order is placed, staff pick the items and hook them to this rail, where they fly across the store to the delivery zone. This sight of a supermarket operating like a logistics center is unique to Hema. Additionally, all price tags are electronic, and scanning the QR codes provides information on origin and recipes.
What to buy at Hema
- Hema Private Label Hot Pot and Mala Bases: These are often higher quality and more aromatic than mass-market brands. Try buying one spicy mala base and one tomato base for a dual-flavor hot pot at home.
- Premium Frozen Dim Sum: Many customers praise these for having restaurant-quality taste in a convenient frozen format. The soup dumplings (xiao long bao) and shrimp dumplings (ha gao) are particularly excellent.
- Instant Seafood Cooking: Fitting for a brand named after a water-dwelling animal, their seafood is a major strength. You can pick live lobsters or clams and have them cooked on the spot to eat in the dining area.
- Low-sugar and Functional Drinks: This is the best place to find the latest trends in Chinese beverages, such as zero-sugar teas and vitamin-enriched drinks.
2. Yonghui Supermarket (永辉超市)
If you want to see the real ingredients of a Chinese home-cooked meal
Yonghui focuses on the essence of fresh food rather than flashy technology. If you want to see the standard for ingredients used daily in Chinese households, Yonghui is the right answer.
On-site observation points
Check the scale of the hot pot ingredient corner. Items like meat balls, fish cakes, tofu, and various mushrooms, which might occupy just one shelf in other countries, take up an entire section here. The atmosphere is energetic and practical, with locals busily bagging fresh produce and weighing it on scales.
What to buy at Yonghui
- Hot Pot Balls and Surimi: The variety of shrimp balls, fish balls, and cheese-filled beef balls is enormous. Mixing just three or four types will give you a perfect authentic hot pot experience.
- Tofu and Yuba (Bean Curd Skin) Line: The quality and variety of dried and fresh bean curd products, which are central to the texture of Chinese cuisine, are impressive here.
- Local Condiments: It is fun to compare different brands of Lao Gan Ma chili oil, bean paste, and various types of black vinegar.
- Local Yogurt: Be sure to try the local bottled yogurts, which are often thicker and sweeter than what you might find elsewhere.
3. RT-Mart (大润发)
The textbook for Chinese-style mega hypermarkets
RT-Mart is the most typical large-scale hypermarket. It competes with an overwhelming scale of inventory and massive bulk-buy promotions.
On-site observation points
The aisles are very wide and the displays are huge. Most products are bundled or sold in boxes, optimized for large-scale shopping trips. It is popular with families, and the presence of household goods like detergents and paper products is just as strong as the food section.
What to buy at RT-Mart
- National Snack Multi-packs: This is the best place to buy bulk packs of nuts and crackers from famous brands like Want Want or Three Squirrels.
- Sunflower Seeds and Nuts: Sunflower seeds (kuazi), a soul food for many in China, are piled high in various flavors like five-spice, spicy, or caramel.
- The World of Chinese Instant Noodles: From mala beef noodles to noodles with a strong Sichuan peppercorn kick, you can see every type of instant noodle in one view.
- Boxed Tea Drinks: You can buy cases of oolong tea, green tea, and other Chinese tea drinks at a very low unit price.
4. Sam's Club (山姆会员商店)
Premium bulk shopping for the Chinese middle class
In China, Sam's Club is more than just a Walmart affiliate; it carries a premium brand power that the middle class trusts. It is often the supermarket with the most viral items on social media.
On-site observation points
The shopping carts are massive compared to standard stores. You will notice the biggest crowds around the bakery and the deli sections. The atmosphere is that of a high-end warehouse club, optimized for parties, gifts, and large family consumption.
What to buy at Sam's Club
- Signature Bakery Items: The Swiss rolls and the giant cheesecakes are the primary reasons many people visit Sam's. They offer a perfect balance of taste and value.
- Roast Chicken and Deli: While the specific menu might vary by location, they generally provide high-quality, reliable rotisserie chicken and prepared meals.
- Premium Imported Ingredients: Their strength lies in imported cheeses, ham, and steak-grade meats for those looking to prepare a premium Western-style meal.
- Gift Packages: Nuts and chocolates are often packaged beautifully, making them very popular as gifts for holidays or visiting friends.
5. Walmart (沃尔玛)
Global standard reliability, a fail-proof entry course
Walmart is the most familiar and standardized large supermarket in China. While it has fewer experimental elements, it provides a stable and predictable shopping experience.
On-site observation points
Global brands and local Chinese brands are mixed in a very balanced way, making it the most comfortable choice for international travelers. If you are intimidated by local markets, Walmart is a great starting point.
What to buy at Walmart
- Imported Snacks and Global Brands: This is a great place to find China-exclusive flavors of familiar brands like Oreo or Lay's.
- Private Label Household Goods: Walmart's own brands for detergents and hygiene products are highly trusted for their price and quality.
- Home Meal Replacements (HMR): There are many frozen foods in clean, international-standard packaging that are easy for beginners to try.
Summary: At-a-Glance Supermarket Comparison
Category | Primary Target | Strength Category | Key Features |
Hema Xiansheng | Gen Z, Singles | PB Meals, Seafood | Hippo Mascot, Ceiling Rail Delivery |
Yonghui Supermarket | Housewives, Locals | Fresh Food, Hot Pot | Hub for Local Ingredients, Freshness |
RT-Mart | Large Families | Snacks, Noodles | Massive Scale, Bulk Bundles |
Sam's Club | Middle Class, Party | Bakery, Premium Meat | Membership-based, Premium Quality |
Walmart | General, Travelers | Global Brands, Misc | Standardized Service, Accessibility |
Final Thoughts Shopping at a supermarket in China is a fun way to understand the local lifestyle beyond just buying groceries. From the friendly blue mascot at Hema Xiansheng to the premium bulk finds at Sam's Club, use this guide to find the supermarket that best fits your goals for an enjoyable shopping trip.