Suning Appliance Co Ltd<002024>, one of the largest privately-owned electrical appliance retailers in China, plans to launch four to five stores in Hong Kong in the second half of 2009, one year ahead of its original schedule, said the company's chairman Zhang Jindong on Sunday.

Zhang said that the company has won regulatory approval and is conducting surveys on store locations, followed by staff training soon.

The number of its stores in Hong Kong is expected to be no less than 10, with four to five to be opened this year. It also targets to open 200 stores in Chinese mainland this year.

Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd<493>, China's largest electronics chain, has already opened 14 stores in Hong Kong.

Suning's net profit surged 48.09% to RMB 2.17 billion in 2008.