China's retail sales up 13% during three-day New Year holiday

BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Chinese media) -- Retail sales rose 13 percent

year-on-year in the three-day New Year holiday, China's Ministry of Commerce

(MOC) reported on Sunday.

The 1,000 retail enterprises involved in the

calculation reported total revenue of 12.5 billion yuan (1.83 billion U.S.

dollars) from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3.

An unidentified official from the MOC Market

Operation division said sales promotions and exhibits boosted consumption

nationwide.

As the major holiday of the year, the Spring

Festival, is approaching, food, discounted clothes, shoes and home appliances

sold well, although luxury goods sales declined, he said.

Restaurants were busy with bookings of families and

friends. On Jan. 1, key restaurants in the survey saw an 18 percent rise in

revenue, compared with the previous day. Also on New Year's Day, 11 outlets of

the Quanjude roast duck restaurant had a 15 percent rise in combined income.

Prices of daily necessities remained stable over the

three-day period, the ministry said.