French retail giant Carrefour is to open a further five stores in Shanghai in the near future, according to a local media report.

Carrefour expects to open one of the stores near Zhongshan Park in 2005, reported AFX Asia, citing the Shanghai Daily.

The retailer, which has 36 stores in 21 Chinese cities, reportedly plans to open between ten and 12 outlets in China every year in the near future.

Carrefour’s opening of a Dia discount store in Shanghai, in partnership with local retailer Lianhua, was postponed due to the outbreak of SARS and is now expected to open later this month.