Retail sales volume of textile and clothing declined slightly

According to the latest statistics released by the Statistics Bureau, the growth rate of retail sales in the textile and apparel industry declined slightly from January to April 2013. From January to April 2013, the retail sales of enterprises above designated size in China reached 3355.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 11.5%, and the growth rate increased by 0.4 percentage points month-on-month; of which, clothing, shoes, caps, needles, and textiles enterprises above the designated size ranged from January to April. Retail sales amounted to RMB 366.2 billion, an increase of 11.2% year-on-year, and year-on-year growth rate declined by 4.42 and 0.5% respectively. In April, the retail sales of clothing, shoes, hats, pins and textiles above designated size decreased year-on-year. This was more significant, which was a decrease of 7.9 percentage points from March, resulting in a year-on-year decrease in the overall retail sales of apparel textiles from January to April.

CBI Research believes that in April, the growth rate of domestic retail sales of textile and apparel enterprises above designated size reflected to a certain extent the current status of domestic terminal retail market consumption is still low. The urbanization conference has been postponed again and again. Market consumption lacks a strong boosting factor. Coupled with the recent sharp price cuts in gold jewelry, it has attracted a large proportion of end-consumer funds. Some consumers have temporarily shifted their consumption direction, resulting in a temporary weakness in apparel textile sales. Given that April is the traditional off-season apparel consumption, the weak April retail sales data can be expected, but it cannot be concluded that the apparel terminal market in the second quarter is down. In May and June, the weather gradually turned hot, summer clothes will be hot, and spring sales promotion will increase. Under the “May 1st” and “6 June” major apparel consumption festivals, it will lead to a busy season for clothing textiles.