China’s retail sales fell 0.6% year-on-year in May 2026, the first decline since December 2022, following a 0.2% gain in April and defying expectations of a flat reading. The Labor Day holiday in early May failed to offset weak consumer spending, particularly for discretionary and big-ticket items, with automobile sales plunging 16.1%. Sales of home appliances and audiovisual equipment (-15.6%), building and decoration materials (-13.6%), gold and silver jewelry (-8.9%), furniture (-8.7%), and sports and entertainment products (-8.0%) also recorded notable declines. In contrast, sales of beverages (6.1%), tobacco and alcohol (4.8%), Chinese and Western medicines (4.0%), clothing (3.8%), and cosmetics (2.5%) increased. By segment, catering revenue rose 0.6%, while retail sales of goods fell 0.7%. Retail sales excluding automobiles increased 1.1%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.4%, following a 0.6% decline in April. For the January–May period, retail sales increased 1.4%.

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