In Depth: Supermarkets in China Hawk Own-Brand Goods in Bid to Diversify

From global giants to local supermarket chains, brick-and-mortar retailers in China are racing to expand private-label brands in a bid to stand out in an increasingly crowded market, where weak consumer spending and rising online competition are squeezing margins.

In April, Walmart Inc.’s China arm announced plans to renovate more than 100 stores across the country this year. A core part of the renovation is allocating more shelf space to its own brand “Marketside,” which emphasizes fresh food and short-shelf-life products.