Global IT giant IBM (IBM) has signed a deal with Shandong Jia Jia Yue Supermarket Company to provide the store a business optimization solution.

This is reportedly the first time that IBM has brought its solution to a chain supermarket in China.

Wang Peihuan, president of Jia Jia Yue, says that IBM's new solution will offer him suggestions on choosing a location for his new stores and deciding what kinds of goods to be introduced to the stores.

IBM began developing the system two years ago and has invested CNY15 million in the initial stages. Meanwhile, Jia Jia Yue has also spent an unstated amount of money and human resources on the project to coordinate with IBM's work.

Lin Zhichang, circulation manager of IBM's Trade Department, says that IBM doesn't expect to make money immediately from the new solution for it will take at least a year to see the effect the solution has on Jia Jia Yue.

IBM's solution will first be implanted into four stores of Jia Jia Yue on a trial basis and later promoted to other stores when it proves successful.

Jia Jia Yue is a Shandong based supermarket company. It currently has 260 chain stores and it plans to open 80 new stores annually.