China's Retail Sales Up 14.8% In April 2009

According to statistics from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics, the country's total retail sales increased by 14.8% in April 2009.

The statistics show that China's retail sales reached CNY934.32 billion in April, a slight increase of 0.27% compared with those in March 2009.

By region, the total retail sales in urban areas increased by 13.9% year-on-year to CNY632.96 billion while those in the counties or below the county level increased by 16.7% to CNY301.36 billion.

By industry, wholesale and retail sales were CNY789.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 14.4%; hotel and catering sales were CNY132.32 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.9%; and the sales of other industries were CNY12.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.1%.

By product category, the sales of luxury goods, furniture, daily commodities, automobiles, decorating materials, and clothing showed strong growth in April, with an average growth rate of over 10%.

In addition, from January to April 2009, the total retail sales in China were CNY3.87 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 15%.

Industry watchers said that the government's stimulus policies, including reducing purchase taxes on small cars and subsidies for farmers to buy agricultural equipment, have played a big part in retail sales.