China Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods Shot up in May

di Leonello Bosco

National Bureau of Statistics of China　2008-06-13

In May, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 870.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.6 percent.

In terms of different regions, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas was 594.7 billion yuan, rose by 22.3 percent over the same period of the previous year; that of retail sales at and below the county level achieved 275.7 billion yuan, up by 20.1 percent.

In terms of different industries, the retail sales of wholesale and retail trades was 737.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.8 percent; that of hotel and catering services was 120.4 billion yuan, up by 22.4 percent; that of other industries was 12.8 billion yuan, up by 4.5 percent.

In terms of different commodity categories, the retail sales above designated size of wholesale and retail trades, divided by foodstuff, clothing and utilized commodities increased 23.8, 22.1 and 27.2 percent respectively. Of which, the retail sales for grain and oil was up by 27.6 percent; that of meat, poultry and eggs was up by 25.4 percent; that of clothing was up by 21.6 percent; that of cultural and offices appliances rose by 25.1 percent; that of sports and recreation articles rose by 13.0 percent; that of articles for daily use shot up by 18.1 percent; that of household appliances and video appliances rose by 10.6 percent; that of furniture was up by 37.1 percent; that of cosmetics jumped by 17.5 percent; that of gold, silver, and jewelry rose by 29.4 percent; that of telecommunication appliances rose by 2.7 percent; that of automobiles rose by 32.0 percent; and that of petroleum and related products rose by 42.5 percent; and building and decoration materials increased 9.3 percent.

From January to May, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 4240.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.1 percent.