China's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 1264.4 billion yuan in the first two months of this year, up 12.5 percent from last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

 

Consumer retail sales grew by 15.5 percent in January and 9.4 percent in February compared with the same period last year.

 

Consumer retail sales in cities came to 849.6 billion yuan, up 13.2 percent; and that at county level or below were 414.7 billion yuan, up 11.1 percent.

 

The sales volume of food, clothing and daily necessities rose 13.5 percent, 16.6 percent and 24.5 percent respectively.

 

Retail sales of cereals, oils, meat, poultry and eggs increased by 18.9 percent and 7.7 percent respectively.

 

Retail sales of garments and textile products, cultural and office supplies, and sports and entertainment goods went up 16.6 percent, 13 percent and 16.2 percent.

 

Retail sales of everyday articles rose 15 percent; that of home appliances, audio and video equipment, up 17.3 percent; that of cosmetics, up 16.6 percent; furniture, up 11.8 percent; and jewelry, up 23 percent; telecom equipment, up 24.8 percent; automobiles, up 29.5 percent; and petroleum and related products, up 40.6 percent.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2006)