The rise of chain stores in China
中国连锁店的增长
Chain stores are becoming more and more common in China. Read this article from a Chinese business journal.
连锁店在中国变得越来越普遍。读这篇选自一本中国商业杂刊的文章。
During the last few years, the number of chain stores has greatly increased in big cities in China.
前几年间，中国一些大城市的连锁店数量急剧增长。
Nowadays, within a short walk along a busy street,
如今，一条繁华的大街上，走不了多远，
you are likely to find a chain store of some kind -- a fast-food restaurant, a bakery or a convenience store.
你就很可能发现某种连锁店——快餐店，面包店和便利店。
Chain stores have become part of people's daily lives.
连锁店已成为人们日常生活的一部分。
They may pop into a BreadTalk to buy a sweet roll for breakfast on their way to work.
他们可以在上班路上顺便走进一家“面包新语”面包房买一个甜面包卷作早点。
They may visit a Lianhua Supermarket in the evening to buy some food for dinner.
他们可以在晚上去联华超市买一些晚餐吃的食物。
For a birthday, they might celebrate with friends at a Little Sheep Hotpot Restaurant.
他们可以和朋友们在小肥羊火锅店庆祝生日。
At the weekend they may go to GoMe Appliances to buy a DVD or MP3 player.
在周末，他们可以去国美电器买DVD和MP3。
Chain stores have become so popular that some people include them as a factor when deciding where to live.
连锁店非常受欢迎，所以有些人在选择住处时，把这一点也考虑在内。
Why have chain stores grown so fast in number and influence?
为什么连锁店的数目增长如此之快，影响如此之大？
Meeting the customers' needs is the answer.
原因在于它们能满足消费者的需求。
Opened in convenient locations, the stores are usually next door to people's homes and close to bus stops or underground stations.
这些店开在地理位置方便的地方，通常就在人们居住区的旁边，而且离公共汽车站或地铁站很近。
They offer a wide range of products in a clean, well-lit and relaxing environment.
它们在一种干净，明亮又轻松的环境里提供种类广泛的产品。
Every store in a chain operates in the same way as the others do.
每个连锁店和其他连锁店的运营方式都是一样的。
That way, everyone knows what to expect in case they shop there.
那样，如果到那儿去购物，每个人都知道可以买到什么。
The prices are reasonable too.
价格也合理。
It seems that chain stores are a welcome development in China.
连锁店在中国的发展似乎很受欢迎。
They are certainly a new force changing people's way of life.
它们必定是改变人们生活方式的新生力量。