February retail sales jump 8.3% on CNY timing boost

Retail sales rose 8.3% year-on-year (YoY) in February, reversing a 0.5% decline in January, according to the Department of Statistics.

The increase was partly attributed to the timing of the Chinese New Year, which fell in February this year compared with January last year.

Total retail sales value was estimated at $4.2b in the month, with online transactions accounting for 14.1%, up from 13.9% in January.

For the combined two-month period, retail sales grew 3.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

​On a seasonally adjusted basis, overall sales fell 4.1% from the previous month.

Online sales accounted for 56.3% of total sales in the computer and telecommunications equipment segment, 39.9% in furniture and household equipment, and 11.2% in supermarkets and hypermarkets.

On segments, sales in supermarkets and hypermarkets rose 29.3%, whilst recreational goods and department stores increased 26% and 16.8% respectively.

In contrast, petrol service stations and motor vehicles, parts and accessories recorded YoY declines of 9.8% and 7.8%.