The retail sales of China's social consumer goods grew 13.6
percent year on year to 577.5 billion yuan (US$72 billion) in
April, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a monthly
report published on Monday.
The report said the retail sales of the hotel and catering
industry amounted to 75.7 billion yuan (US$9.46 billion) in April,
a rise of 15.4 percent from the same month in 2005.
According to the report, the retail sales of grain and edible
oil grew 20.7 percent year on year in April, and those of meat,
poultry and egg, 11.6 percent.
The retail sales of textile, clothing and footwear increased
year on year by 17.4 percent in April, while those of household
appliance and furniture, 17.6 percent and 15.7 percent,
respectively.
Meanwhile, the retail sales of building materials and cosmetics
surged 27.5 percent and 18.8 percent from April last year, and
those of gold, silver and jewelry, 29.5 percent.
The retail sales of communication equipment and cars grew year
on year by 30.5 percent and 26.3 percent, and those of oil and
processed oil products, up 37 percent from April last year.
The NBS report also said China's accumulated retail sales of
social consumer goods from January to April stood at 2.42 trillion
yuan (US$302.7 billion), up 13 percent year on year.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)