Retail sales continue to rise

Growth in retail sales accelerated in the first semester of the year, stimulated by online sales, announced the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The volume of retail sales increased by +12.1% on an annual basis to 12,420 billion yuan (2,020 billion dollars) during the first 6 months of the year, against +12% recorded in the first quarter. In June, retail sales increased by +0.96% compared to the previous month.

Online sales recorded a growth of +48.3% from January to June and totaled 1,140 billion yuan.

Growth in retail sales in rural areas remains higher than that found in urban areas. On the 1st semester sales in rural areas have increased by +13.2%, while urban areas have experienced growth in sales of +12%.

source : people daily com cn