The NBS included this indicator in its monthly data package for the first time, reflecting the growing importance of services in China’s consumption landscape, as reported by Chinese media outlets.
China’s total retail sales of goods and services rose 2.8 per cent year on year (YoY) in January-May 2026.
Services sales grew 5.4 per cent, outpacing goods at 1.2 per cent.
Online retail sales increased 5.9 per cent, while rural consumer goods sales rose 2.6 per cent, pointing to continued strength in services, online retail and rural consumption.
Retail sales of services rose by 5.4 per cent YoY during January-May, while retail sales of goods increased by 1.2 per cent.
The total retail sales of consumer goods reached 20.6 trillion yuan (~$3.02 trillion) in the first five months, up 1.4 per cent YoY. In May alone, total retail sales of consumer goods declined by 0.6 per cent from a year earlier.
The NBS noted that new consumption patterns continued to support growth. Online retail sales of goods and services rose by 5.9 per cent YoY during the first five months, while retail sales of communication and information services increased by over 10 per cent.
In rural areas, retail sales of consumer goods rose by 2.6 per cent YoY in January-May, 1.4 percentage points faster than the growth recorded in urban areas, supported by improving internet infrastructure and logistics networks.
The statistical agency’s data also showed that services consumption, digital channels and rural demand are becoming increasingly important drivers of China’s consumer market growth.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
