As of March 2026, the Chinese retail market has hit a critical inflection point. While traditional hypermarkets contract, a new "Quality-Price Ratio" era has emerged, defined by Aldi's aggressive "hard discount" blitz and local retailers’ tech-driven defense. 1. The Aldi "Slam on the Accelerator" After taking nearly seven years to reach its 100th store in China, Aldi has suddenly pivoted to a high-speed growth phase. The 2026 Goal: Aldi plans to add over 50 new stores within