China's Major Retailers See January Sales up 24.5%

    The consumption of commercial products has been a major contribution to the rise in sales. The retail sales of food, cigarettes and alcohol, as well as jewelry rose 28.9 percent, 47.2percent and 29.2 percent, respectively, over the same period last year, Yao said.

    The sales of passenger cars, stimulated by reduced taxes, rose 4.4 percent in January, which represented a consecutive increase in two months. The total auto sales in January reached 735,500 units.

    In addition, the consumption in tertiary industry, including culture, tourism, education, and telecommunications, saw a significant increase in January, particularly during the 7-day Spring Festival that started from Jan. 25.

    "The increased spending in the tertiary industry reflected improved consumption structure as well as people's living conditions," Yao said.