According to statistics provided by the State Statistical Bureau, the total volume of retail sales of consumption good in China amounted to RMB870.4 billion in May of 2008 this year, up 21.6% compared with the same period of last year. The total volume of retail sales of consumption good hit about RMB4,240 billion in Jan. to May of 2008, up 21.1% compared with the previous year.

According to the statistics, the volume of retail sales in urban area was RMB594.7 billion, up 22.3% over the previous year. The total volume of retail sales for food, clothing and other daily necessities increased by 23.8%, 22.1% and 27.2% respectively. And the retail sales volume for furniture, crude oil and its products increased by 37.1% and 42.5% respectively. The building and decorative material increased by 9.3%.