China: Growth in retail sales accelerates timidly in August

In August, nominal retail sales grew 9.0% on an annual basis, a slight acceleration from the 8.8% expansion registered in July. The print was above expectations of a 8.8% increase. August’s print was driven by stronger sales of household appliances and construction materials. Sales of petroleum and petroleum-related products increased at a stronger pace in August than in July. Meanwhile, car sales contracted at a fastest pace in August.

On a seasonally-adjusted basis, retail sales expanded 0.65% in August, edging down from the 0.69% increase in July. Annual average growth in retail sales inched down from 9.6% in July to 9.5% in August.

China Retail Sales Forecast

FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast participants expect retail sales to increase 10.0% in 2018, which is down 0.2 percentage points from last month’s estimate. In 2019, the panel sees retail sales expanding 9.9%.