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China's total retail sales of consumer goods and services up 2.5% in Jan-Aug, services outpace goods
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On September 20, the head of the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Consumption Promotion announced that China's total retail sales of social consumer goods and services from January to August 2026 increased by 2.5% year-on-year. The official stated that the consumer market is stable and improving, with continued optimization of the consumption structure. Commodity consumption grew steadily, with total retail sales of consumer goods rising 1.1%, and retail sales excluding automobiles increasing by 2.7%. Service consumption showed strong demand, with retail sales of services surging 4.9%, outpacing goods sales by 3.9 percentage points. The official attributed this to residents' increasingly diverse consumption needs and a structural shift from primarily commodity consumption to equal emphasis on both goods and services. Additionally, rural consumption potential is being released, with the county-level consumer market showing continued vitality and ongoing optimization of the urban-rural consumption structure.
Source report
Beijing, September 20 — According to the Department of Consumption Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, China's consumer market maintained stable improvement during the first eight months of 2026, with continued optimization of the consumption structure.
From January to August, the total retail sales of social consumer goods and services increased by 2.5% year-on-year. Key highlights include:
1. Steady Growth in Commodity Consumption
- Total retail sales of consumer goods rose by 1.1% year-on-year.
- Retail sales of consumer goods excluding automobiles increased by 2.7%.
2. Strong Demand for Service Consumption
Residents' consumption needs are becoming increasingly diverse, driving a shift from a commodity-dominated consumption structure to one that balances both goods and services.
- Retail sales of services grew by 4.9% year-on-year.
- This growth rate was 3.9 percentage points higher than that of retail sales of goods.
3. Rural Consumption Potential Released
The vitality of the county-level consumer market continues to strengthen, contributing to the ongoing optimization of the urban-rural consumption structure.
Source
domesticEastern
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China’s consumer market grows 2.5% from January to August, service consumption up 4.9%