China’s retail sales fell 0.6% year-on-year in May 2026, the first decline since December 2022, following a 0.2% gain in April and defying expectations of a flat reading. The Labor Day holiday in early May failed to offset weak consumer spending, particularly for discretionary and big-ticket items, with automobile sales plunging 16.1%. Sales of home appliances and audiovisual equipment (-15.6%), building and decoration materials (-13.6%), gold and silver jewelry (-8.9%), furniture (-8.7%), and sports and entertainment products (-8.0%) also recorded notable declines. In contrast, sales of beverages (6.1%), tobacco and alcohol (4.8%), Chinese and Western medicines (4.0%), clothing (3.8%), and cosmetics (2.5%) increased. By segment, catering revenue rose 0.6%, while retail sales of goods fell 0.7%. Retail sales excluding automobiles increased 1.1%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.4%, following a 0.6% decline in April. For the January–May period, retail sales increased 1.4%. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Retail Sales in China decreased 0.60 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in China averaged 11.87 percent from 1993 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 37.40 percent in December of 1993 and a record low of -20.50 percent in January of 2020. This page provides - China Retail Sales YoY - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Retail Sales YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Retail Sales in China decreased 0.60 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in China is expected to be 3.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Retail Sales YoY is projected to trend around 2.50 percent in 2027 and 2.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-18 02:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Apr 0.2% 1.7% 2% 2.2%
2026-06-16 02:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
May -0.6% 0.2% 0% 0.8%
2026-07-15 02:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Jun -0.6% 3.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Confidence 89.00 90.00 points Apr 2026
Consumer Spending 561234.70 538828.20 CNY Hundred Million Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 56502.00 54188.00 CNY Dec 2025
Gasoline Prices 0.99 1.01 USD/Liter May 2026
Retail Sales MoM -0.38 -0.55 percent May 2026
Retail Sales YoY -0.60 0.20 percent May 2026


China Retail Sales YoY
In China, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.60 0.20 37.40 -20.50 1993 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
China Retail Sales Fall for First Time Since 2022
China’s retail sales fell 0.6% year-on-year in May 2026, the first decline since December 2022, following a 0.2% gain in April and defying expectations of a flat reading. The Labor Day holiday in early May failed to offset weak consumer spending, particularly for discretionary and big-ticket items, with automobile sales plunging 16.1%. Sales of home appliances and audiovisual equipment (-15.6%), building and decoration materials (-13.6%), gold and silver jewelry (-8.9%), furniture (-8.7%), and sports and entertainment products (-8.0%) also recorded notable declines. In contrast, sales of beverages (6.1%), tobacco and alcohol (4.8%), Chinese and Western medicines (4.0%), clothing (3.8%), and cosmetics (2.5%) increased. By segment, catering revenue rose 0.6%, while retail sales of goods fell 0.7%. Retail sales excluding automobiles increased 1.1%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.4%, following a 0.6% decline in April. For the January–May period, retail sales increased 1.4%.
2026-06-16
China Retail Sales Growth Lowest in 4 Years
China’s retail sales rose just 0.2% year-on-year in April 2026, slowing sharply from a 1.7% increase in March and well below the expected 2.0% gain. This marked the weakest growth since December 2022, as the fallout from the Iran war dampened consumer demand. Broad weakness was seen in big-ticket purchases, with automobile sales plunging 15.3%, while home appliances (-15.1%), building materials (-13.8%), and furniture (-10.4%) also posted steep declines. These were partly offset by gains in tobacco and alcohol (11.7%), communication equipment (6.2%), grains, oils, and food products (4.1%), and cosmetics (4.7%). By segment, services continued to outperform goods, as catering revenues rose 2.2% while retail goods sales edged down 0.1%. Meanwhile, retail sales excluding automobiles increased 1.8%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.5% after a 0.1% decline in March. For the January–April period, retail sales increased 1.9%.
2026-05-18
China Retail Sales Growth Slows More Than Expected
China’s retail sales rose 1.7% year-on-year in March 2026, slowing from a 2.8% increase in the January–February period and falling short of market expectations of a 2.3% gain. The moderation reflected softer consumer demand and uneven category performance, with strength in communication equipment (27.3%), cultural and office supplies (15.0%), gold and silver jewelry (11.7%), and food-related items partly offset by weakness in big-ticket goods, including automobiles (-11.8%), home appliances (-5.0%), and furniture (-8.7%). By segment, services continued to outperform goods, as catering revenues rose 2.9% versus a 1.5% gain in retail goods. Meanwhile, retail sales excluding automobiles performed better, rising 3.2% in March, highlighting underlying resilience in non-auto consumption. On a monthly basis, retail sales increased 0.2%, easing from a 0.5% rise in February.
2026-04-16