In March 2013, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 1,764.1 billion yuan, up by 12.6 percent year-on-year (nominal growth rate. The real growth rate was 11.7 percent. The following figures are nominal growth rates unless stated otherwise). Of the total, the retail sales of consumer goods of industrial enterprises (units) above designated size was 907.6 billion yuan, an increase of 10.5 percent.

In terms of different areas, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas was 1,523.8 billion yuan in March, up by 12.2 percent year-on-year; while that in rural areas was 240.3 billion yuan, up 15.0 percent year-on-year.

In terms of different consumption patterns, catering services in March gained 186.1 billion yuan, up by 8.7 percent year on year. The retail sales of goods gained 1,578.0 billion yuan, up by 13.1 percent year-on-year, of which, the amount of enterprises (units) above designated size was 847.4 billion yuan, up by 11.4 percent year on year.