Sales value of franchised commodities for the upcoming Shanghai World Expo, which is to be held from May 1 to Oct. 31, have reached 8 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) by mid March, according to the marketing office for Shanghai Expo franchised commodities.

The office said Thursday franchised stores for such commodities would number 4,000 across China by the end of March, including 2,500 in Shanghai and 1,500 outside the city.

A total of 5,000 varieties of the franchised commodities are being sold, including garments, toys, sports gear, rare metal ware and stamps and postcards. The number of variety will double when the World Expo 2010 begins.

The office hopes the total sales volume of the Expo franchised commodities will reach 20 billion yuan when the six-month event concludes.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2010)