SHOE retailer Le Saunda Holdings is marching on China, with plans to invest up to $45 million there.
Chairman and managing director Mr Lee Keung said he expected sales in China to account for one-third of the company's total sales after one year.
The company will take counters in top department stores in 42 cities and open outlets in duty-free shops. Plans also call for 12 shops by the end of this year.
Le Saunda will sell locally manufactured shoes in the department stores, and Italian footware in the duty free shops, located in five Special Economic Zones.
The first store opened in Hainan on Friday. This is to be followed by another in Zhuhai in October. Negotiations on shops in Shekou, Shantou and Xiamen are continuing.
Mr Lee said the company had abandoned its plan to open specialty stores and outlets. Le Saunda's risk would be minimised as the profits for the department stores were performance-linked.