China’s retail sales growth cooled in March 2026, with year-on-year expansion easing to 1.7%, down from 2.8% in February 2026. The latest data, updated on 16 April 2026, underscore a loss of momentum in consumer demand as households remain cautious.
Both the current and previous readings are calculated on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month with the same period a year earlier. The deceleration from February to March suggests that the recovery in consumer spending remains fragile, highlighting ongoing headwinds for China’s domestic demand and adding pressure on policymakers seeking to stabilize growth.
