Key Highlights:
- Retail and catering sales are up approximately 10% year-on-year
- Strong demand for festive goods and specialty products
- Record travel volume boosting tourism and hospitality
- Government incentives supporting household spending
As the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday unfolds, China’s consumer market is witnessing strong momentum across retail, dining, and travel—signaling a positive start to the year.
Official data shows retail and catering sales rose by around 10% during the early days of the Spring Festival period compared to last year.
Shopping malls, restaurants, and online platforms reported higher transaction volumes, with festive goods, gifts, and specialty products seeing particularly strong demand.
The annual Lunar New Year travel rush—the world’s largest seasonal migration—is also supporting economic activity, with record domestic trips expected.
Increased tourism, hotel bookings, and transport usage are further strengthening consumption. Authorities have additionally introduced consumer vouchers and trade-in programs to stimulate spending and sustain demand growth.
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