Chinese home appliance retailer Gome recently entered into a strategic agreement with Japanese Sharp, whereby Gome agreed to distribute LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs manufactured by Sharp through its pan-China retail stores, the Sina Tech News reported on July 23. The deal, which runs from July 1 to December 31, 2010, is valued at six billion RMB (US$882.4 million; US$ = 6.8 RMB). Boasted to be the biggest contract ever signed by Sharp in China, the value of the deal is said to be 70% higher than a similar deal signed in 2009. In addition, Gome stated that the company will expand its distribution network, planning to open 120 new stores in 2010, with an aim to reach 2,000 stores by 2014. As of the year-end 2009, Gome had 1,141 stores nationwide in China.