Sales on consumer market increased steadily. In 2001, retail sales of consumer goods totaled 3,759.5 billion yuan, up 10.1 percent over 2000. Of this total, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas reached 2,354.3 billion yuan, up 11.5 percent, while the retail sales of consumer goods at and below the county level rose 7.7 percent to 1,405.2 billion yuan. The sales of the wholesale and retail establishments were 2,551.1 billion yuan, up 10.7 percent; sales of the catering industry stood at 436.9 billion yuan, up 16.4 percent; and sales of other sectors were 771.6 billion yuan, up 4.9 percent.

Sales on the market for means of production registered steady growth. The total sales of means of production by the wholesale and retail enterprises above designated size were 1,644.9 billion yuan, up 4 percent.

Sales of the wholesale and retail enterprises above designated size maintained growth though economic efficiency declined. Between January-November 2001, the net sales income reached 2,460.1 billion yuan, up 4.5 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of this total, the wholesale sector rose 3 percent, and the retail sector grew 12 percent. The gross profit margin stood at 7.8 percent, of which, that of the wholesale sector was 6.7 percent and that of the retail sector was 12.8 percent. The expense ratio was 8 percent, of which, that of the wholesale sector was 6.7 percent and that of the retail sector was 14 percent. Profits totaled 24.5 billion yuan, down 9.1 percent. Of this total, the wholesale sector saw a 12 percent decrease and the retail sector grew 11.6 percent.