Chinese electronics retailer Suning has announced plans to open at least 200 new stores and hire 36,000 new employees in 2009, marking the beginning of a talent war in addition to the competitions for stores and resources in the Chinese electronics retail industry.

Meng Xiangsheng, vice president of Suning, told local media that Suning plans to open 200 new stores in 2009. Of these stores, 70 will be opened in cities where the company has not opened any store yet.

At the same time, the company will further enhance its distribution system and establish five new distribution centers in Beijing, Shenyang, Chengdu, Xuzhou, and Nanjing, respectively. Suning will need to recruit about 36,000 new employees in 2009, including 2,000 college graduates and 1,500 mature medium and high-level management staff.

In addition, to competing with other appliance and electronics giants like Gome, Suning has worked out 36 talent training programs, covering the company's various management staff, including general managers, store managers, purchasing managers, and distribution managers.