According to the National Bureau of Statistics, retail sales in China reached CNY2.94 trillion in the first quarter of 2009, a year-on-year increase of 15%.

By region, the total retail sales in urban areas increased by 14.1% year-on-year to CNY1.983 trillion while those in the counties or below the county level increased by 17.0% to CNY956.4 billion.

By industry, wholesale and retail sales were CNY2.463 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 14.6%; hotel and catering sales were CNY438.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18.9%; and the sales of other industries were CNY38.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 2.8%.

In March alone, China's retail sales were reported to have increased by 14.7% compared with the same period of last year.