China retail sales surges in October

Nov 16, 20181 min read

Official figures for China retail sales show an 8.6 per cent year-on-year increase in October. That’s a little shy of the 9.2 per cent achieved in September and the same pace of growth for the first 10 months of the year.

The data was released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which blamed the slowing growth rate on delayed consumption ahead of the 11.11 Singles Day shopping festival. Many products sold on Singles Day are pre-ordered, but not settled until the 24-hour sale commences, to boost the event’s topline figure.

The NBS said sales in rural areas rose by 9.7 per cent in October, a faster rate than the 8.4 per cent in urban areas.

Online spending soared 25.5 per cent to reach RMB 7 trillion during the first 10 months of this year.

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Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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