In February 2025, China's retail sales growth rate witnessed a slowdown, marking a 2.98% year-over-year increase, according to data updated on March 17, 2025. This is a decrease from the previous growth rate of 3.48% recorded in December 2024, highlighting a notable deceleration in consumer spending as the year progressed.
This year-over-year comparison indicates that the growth in retail sales for February this year has fallen behind the pace set in the same month last year and December 2024. The decrease in growth suggests that consumers in China are starting to pull back on spending, a trend that economists are watching closely as it could signal deeper economic pressures.
The reasons behind this slowdown can be numerous, ranging from shifts in global economic conditions to domestic policy adjustments. As observers look to understand the implications of this trend, the focus will be on how China addresses this slump while navigating the complex landscape of its post-pandemic economic recovery, international trade dynamics, and internal market adjustments.
