China’s retail sales increase 2.7% in H1 2026

China’s total retail sales of goods and services rose 2.7 per cent year on year (YoY) in the first half of 2026, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The indicator is a key read for consumer-facing supply chains, including apparel, fashion retail and sourcing teams tracking demand conditions in China.Retail sales of services increased 5.3 per cent from a year earlier, while retail sales of goods rose 1.1 per cent. Total retail sales of consumer goods, which include sales of physical consumer goods and income from catering services, reached 24.87 trillion yuan (~$3.66 trillion), up 1.3 per cent YoY. Urban retail sales of consumer goods rose 1.2 per cent and rural retail sales increased 2.5 per cent.

China’s retail sales of goods and services increased 2.7 per cent year on year (YoY) in the first half of 2026, with services outperforming goods as consumer demand shifted towards experiences and higher-value spending.
The government aims to raise total retail sales of consumer goods to around 60 trillion yuan (~$8.4 trillion) by 2030, supported by digital, green and consumption-boosting policies.

Mao Shengyong, deputy head of the NBS said: “As living standards improve, service consumption has increasingly become a key area for unlocking consumption potential.” Mao also said digital consumption and green consumption accelerated in the first half as consumers turned to smart and green products.

Under a government plan on expanding consumption during the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, China will seek to lift total retail sales of consumer goods to around 60 trillion yuan (~$8.4 trillion) by 2030.

Mao said conditions were favourable for expanding and upgrading consumption, citing China’s large consumer market, rising demand for high-quality goods and services, and pro-consumption policies.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk