China: Retail sales growth deteriorates in July
Retail sales grew 2.7% in year-on-year terms in July, which was a deterioration from June’s 3.1% increase and far below market expectations of 5.0% growth. The weak reading was the result of an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the month and a deepening property sector downturn, which weighed on housing-related purchases.
On a monthly basis, retail sales grew 0.3% in seasonally-adjusted terms in July, which was below June’s 0.8% expansion. Meanwhile, annual average retail sales growth fell to 4.9% in July (June: +7.3%), signaling a worsening trend in the retail trade sector.
Retail sales in August are likely to also be downbeat, given a further rise in Covid-19 cases so far in the month and ongoing lockdown restrictions in parts of the country.