Shanghai Wing On Department Store was the largest and fairly capable 'Universal' department store in old China, enjoying a certain reputation both domestically and internationally. It was initiated by Australian Chinese immigrants Guo Le and Guo Quan, among others. Established in 1918 and continuing until the liberation, it underwent a process of public-private partnership. Over nearly forty years of history, it held a significant position and influence in China's national capitalist commercial economy. Throughout its long-standing commercial activities, Wing On Department Store accumulated considerable experience in capitalist business management. Leveraging this experience, it managed to survive and achieve some development amidst the oppression from imperialism and bureaucratic capital, both domestically and internationally. However, under the historical conditions of old China, it eventually declined from its peak and faced extremely challenging circumstances, ultimately succumbing to the imminent fate of bankruptcy. We believe that a detailed analysis of this typical commercial enterprise is beneficial for further studying China's national capitalist economy and the national bourgeoisie.

上海永安公司是旧中国规模最大、有相当经营能力并曾在当时国内外享有一定声誉的“环球”百货公司，它由澳洲华侨郭乐、郭泉兄弟等人发起创设，从1918年正式开幕到解放后实行公私合营，经历了近四十年的历史进程，它在我国民族资本主义商业经济中具有一定的影响和地位。上海永安公司在长时期的商业活动中，积累了比较丰富的资本主义经营管理的经验，并借助于此，得以在帝国主义和官僚资本内外压迫的夹缝中生存和获得某些发展。但是在旧中国的历史条件下，它终于由盛转衰，处境十分艰难，最终无法逃脱濒于破产的历史命运。我们认为，具体剖析这一典型的商业企业，对于进一步研究我国民族资本主义经济和民族资产阶级是有益处的。