Early Life and Education
Shen Guojun was born in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, in 1962. He obtained his Master's degree in Economics from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in 1986. After graduating, he spent six years at the China Construction Bank, where he impressed his superiors and rose to become the GM of Hainan Yintai Real Estate, a company partially owned by the bank.
Rise to Success
In 1997, Shen entered the real estate market by establishing China Yintai Investment Company in Beijing. He later founded Yintai Group in 1997, focusing on industrial development and investment. In 1998, he established Intime Department Store, which became the first mainland Chinese department store group listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Shen is considered one of China's most successful retail and real estate investors. He is also the founder of Beijing UBOX Online Technology Corp..
Key Business Strategies
Shen Guojun's business strategy has focused on innovation and adapting to market changes. His strategic cooperation with Alibaba and the subsequent promotion of the Internetization of Intime Retail were key moves. In 2017, he and Alibaba privatized Intime Retail Group for $2.6 billion. Shen has also divested sizable stakes in various businesses amid China's slower growth.
Philanthropy
Shen is actively involved in philanthropy. In 2014, he founded the Yintai Foundation, focusing on ecological and environmental conservation, rural revitalization, and public interest education. He has also collaborated with others to establish social organizations like the Ai You Foundation and The Paradise International Foundation.
