Müller, the German drugstore chain, has decided to postpone its planned entry into China and will for the time being focus its expansion on new markets in Europe. The company confirmed to “Handelsblatt” in its Friday edition that the current phase of its growth strategy is being directed toward Europe, “especially the newly opened markets Slovakia and Czech Republic” according to a company spokesperson. Other European countries are currently being evaluated for potential entry.
Although the China plan had already become very concrete, it is now on hold. The expansion was set to begin in the economic and high‑tech district of Pudong in Shanghai. In that area, Müller’s representatives had held intensive, “open and constructive” talks with the local development company. Chu Tongzhou, chief of Müller’s China operations, announced at a conference in Pudong that the company had already selected a site for its first drugstore and was planning a launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. The original blueprint called for up to 500 stores across China within the next five years.
Today, Müller has put that investment project on hold, but not terminated it entirely. “At this point” the company said, “we are not continuing the discussions in Pudong” yet it added that both parties remain open to reconnecting at a later date if new opportunities arise.
