Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday showed that retail sales totaled 366.2 billion yuan (US$44.3billion) in October. Retail sales in urban areas surged10.8 percent year-on-year to 233.4 billion yuan. Those in rural areas grew seven percent to 132.8 billion yuan.

The NBS said rising consumption and festive activities during the National Day holiday in October helped push up retail sales. The fall in temperatures also jump-started the sales season of winter goods earlier than usual.

Sales in the catering industry rocketed 17.7 percent year-on-year in October, while sales of trading businesses and other industries rose 10.2 percent and 1.9 percent respectively, NBS figures showed.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2002)