Latest information from ACNielsen finds that China's retail sales volume of non-durable goods hit 36.3 billion yuan (US$4.39 billion) in 2002, or 10 percent up over 2001, in comparison with the slack in the world retail market.

ACNielsen, a global firm delivering market research, information and analysis to the consumer products and service industries, unveiled this result in its new initiative: Eye on China's Market Report.

Among the 29 categories of non-durable goods under the nationwide survey such as food and beverages, the ACNielsen report listed 15 categories with the largest sales volume. The carbonate beverage ranked first with 10.4 billion yuan (US$1.256 billion) sales volume. The second place went to shampoo. In 2002 shampoo sales volume reached 8.6 billion yuan (US$1.038 billion), 18 percent up over the previous year. The top five categories also included instant noodles, skin care articles and laundry lotion.

In terms of price, eight among the 29 categories went up. Prices for facial cleansing milk and foodstuffs for babies jumped highest, averaging an increase of 11 percent. In 2002 the price for milk powder rose by 9 percent over 2001. Prices for hair conditioner, home cleansing articles, razors, milk powder and skin care articles also saw a price increase.

Yet as to most categories of goods, market price declined in 2002. The shampoo price dropped by 2 percent, instant coffee by 9 percent and dry, crisp food by 11 percent. The prices for toothpaste, chewing gums and instant noodles were almost the same as the year 2001.

(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong September 28, 2003)