Early Life and Education
Shen Guojun was born in 1962 in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. He earned a Master's degree in Economics from the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in 1986. This academic foundation provided a springboard for his future ventures.
Career Beginnings
After graduating, Shen spent six years at the China Construction Bank, where he honed his skills and gained experience in the financial sector. He then transitioned into real estate, becoming the General Manager of Hainan Yintai Real Estate, a company partially owned by the bank. In 1997, he founded China Yintai Investment Company in Beijing, marking his entry into the real estate market.
Rise to Success
Shen's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Yintai Store Group Limited, later known as Intime Department Store (Group) Co. Limited. Under his leadership, Intime expanded rapidly, opening stores in major cities like Shanghai, Dalian, and Shenyang. A significant milestone was achieved in 2007 when Intime was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the first domestic private group to do so.
Key Business Strategies
Shen Guojun is known for his ability to identify and capitalize on market trends. He focused on the retail and property segments, achieving significant growth even during economic downturns. In 2017, Shen, along with Alibaba, took Intime private in a deal valued at $2.6 billion. He is also targeting the logistics industry through a joint venture with Alibaba. In 2024, Alibaba sold its 99% stake in Intime to Youngor Group for $1 billion.
Philanthropy
Shen is also passionate about philanthropy. In 2014, he founded Yintai Philanthropy, focusing on ecological and environmental conservation, rural revitalization, emergency disaster relief, and public interest education. He serves as Executive Chairman of The Paradise Foundation.