Abu Dhabi: The China retail prosperity index, a barometer of retailers’ expectations for the sector, rose to 50.5 percent in April, the China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) said on Sunday. The figure marked a 0.3-point increase from the previous month.
According to Emirates News Agency, a reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. The CGCC’s report indicated that the uptick mainly stemmed from merchandise operations and leasing activities, reflecting stronger momentum after a series of pro-consumption policies took effect.
Merchandise sentiment returned to growth at 50.1, supported by spring product roll-outs and wider trade-in subsidies. Meanwhile, the leasing sub-index climbed to a robust 52.7. E-commerce remained steady at 50.1, indicating that both online and physical channels are experiencing demand stabilization.
The CGCC attributed the improvement to a newly issued action plan aimed at boosting consumption. The plan outlines measures to raise purchasing power, optimize the consumption environment, increase the willingness to spend, and address key bottlenecks.
With the support of spring consumption promotions, expanded trade-in allowances, and emerging consumption scenarios, China’s brick-and-mortar retailers leveraged their in-store strengths to broaden sales.