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)