Li Binlan (李彬蘭)

Age: 56

2011 net worth (US$): 1 billion

2010 net worth (US$): NA

General ranking: 135

Company: A Best

Headquarters: Guangdong

Title: Chairwoman

Main focus: Retail

A newcomer on this year's list, Li Binlan’s reputation as a strong-willed and visionary leader has earned her the nickname "Iron Lady of Retail." Her reign at A Best has seen the company expand rapidly since its first supermarket opened in Bao'an, Shenzhen, in 1995 to more than 100 stores across the country today. Last year, the company reported a US$2.6 billion operations revenue, ranking 22nd in China's retail industry.