(Yicai Global) Feb. 28 -- Chinese online retailer Suning.Com beat last year's slowdown in consumer spending and reported double-digit sales growth, thanks to its success in fusing a strong online presence with an increasing number of offline stores. 

Suning's operating income rose 31 percent to CNY245.3 billion (USD36.7 billion) in 2018, while rising for the second consecutive year amid stagnant consumption growth, the Nanjing-based company said in its earning report that was published yesterday. Net profits attributable to the parent's shareholders amounted to CNY13.3 billion.

Facing the trend of online and offline integration in retail sector, Suning is expected to capture competitive advantages through synergies in the future, according a research report by Everbright Securities.

The number of Suning's stores exceeded ten thousand last year. The firm has self-operated businesses, as well as franchises, and its over 11,000 outlets involve shopping malls, convenience stores, and electronics shops.

Suning's e-commerce sales increased almost 65 percent to CNY208.4 billion (including tax), while almost 62 percent of the total revenue came from online sales. 

The headcount of all registered online users of Suning's services broke the 400 million mark to reach 407 million. Some 95 percent of online sales took place on the company's mobile application, and the number of monthly active users of the app rose 43 percent annually. 

Suning's stock price [SHE: 002024] rose 0.24 percent to CNY12.38 (USD1.9) by lunch. 

Editor: Emmi Laine