Chinese electronics retailer Suning has established a strategic partnership with IBM (IBM) and the two sides will jointly initiate a "Dark Blue Program".

In the next five years, Suning will spend about RMB300 million to cooperate with IBM on enterprise management, work flow reforms, application system development and IT management. Sun Weiming, CEO of Suning, said that Suning values not only the speed and scale, but also enterprise management in the home appliance field, which he thought is more important for the company's market competition.

A month earlier, Gome announced plans to spend more than RMB2.6 billion improving its relations with suppliers, so it seems all the major players in this sector are preparing for more heated competition.