Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods in May 2014

In May 2014, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 2,125.0 billion yuan, up by 12.5 percent year-on-year (nominal growth rate. The real growth rate was 10.7 percent. The follows are nominal growth rates if there’s no additional explanation). Of the total, the retail sales of consumer goods of units above designated size was 1,056.0 billion yuan, increased 9.9 percent. From January to May, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 10,303.2 billion yuan, up by 12.1 percent year-on-year. Of which, the online retail sales [1] of units above designated size was 143.5 billion yuan, increased 53.2 percent.

In terms of different areas, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas was 1,840.1 billion yuan in May, up by 12.3 percent, year-on-year; while that in rural areas was 284.9 billion yuan, up by 13.9 percent, year-on-year. From January to May, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas was 8,901.4 billion yuan, up by 11.9 percent, year-on-year; while that in rural areas was 1,401.8 billion yuan, up by 13.1 percent.

In terms of different consumption patterns, the catering services in May gained 224.7 billion yuan, up by 11.0 percent, year-on-year. The retail sales of goods gained 1,900.3 billion yuan, up by 12.7 percent. From January to May, the catering services gained 1,072.8 billion yuan, up by 10.2 percent, year-on-year; the retail sales of goods gained 9,230.4 billion yuan, up by 12.3 percent.

The retail sales amount of goods of units above designated size was 965.0 billion yuan, up by 10.1 percent. From January to May, the retail sales amount of goods of units above designated size was 4,661.1 billion yuan, up by 10.1 percent.

Note: [1] Online retail sales of units above designated size refers to the retail sales of consumer goods got by units above designated size, through public online trading platform (including self-built websites and third-party platform).

Annotations:

1. Explanatory Notes

Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods: refers to the sales of physical commodity or the income of catering services sold or provided by enterprises (units) to individuals, social organizations for non-production and non-operation purposes.

2.Statistical Coverage

The corporate enterprises, industrial activity units or self-employed individuals which retail goods or provide catering services. Enterprises (units) above designated size refer to those wholesale enterprises (units) with an annual revenue from primary business of 20 million yuan and above, those retail enterprises (units) with an annual revenue from primary business of 5 million yuan and above, and those hotel and catering enterprises (units) with an annual revenue from primary business of 2 million yuan and above.

3. Survey Methods

All enterprises (units) above designated size are surveyed, while the data of enterprises (units) below designated size are collected by sampling survey.

4. Month-on-Month Figure Revision

According to the auto-revision function of the seasonal adjustment model, the growth rate of the total retail sales of consumer goods since May 2013 was revised. The revised figures and figures for May 2014 are as follows: