Berlin. Drugstore chain Müller has explored a major entry into the Chinese market with its own stores—only to postpone the plan for now. Instead, the company will expand into new European markets, as confirmed to Handelsblatt (Friday edition).
Müller halts China expansion, refocuses on European growth instead
"For the current phase, Müller has decided to focus its expansion efforts on Europe—particularly the newly developed markets of Slovakia and the Czech Republic," a spokesperson said. Additional European countries are currently under evaluation.
The plans for China had already reached an advanced stage. The expansion was set to begin in Shanghai's Pudong economic and high-tech district. Müller representatives held intensive talks with the local development authority, which the company described as "open and constructive." At a conference in Pudong, Chu Tongzhou, head of Müller's operations in China, announced that the company had already begun selecting a location for its first store, with an opening planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. The strategy envisioned up to 500 stores across China over the next five years.
However, the company has now put these investment plans on hold—though not abandoned them entirely. Müller stated that discussions in Pudong would "not proceed at this time," but emphasized: "Both sides do not rule out resuming contact at a later date should new opportunities arise."
