China's consumption engine gains momentum

Q1 retail sales up 4.6%year-on-year, 1.1 percentage points faster than in 2024

HAIKOU — At the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan province last week, crowds thronged exhibit halls packed with global brands showcasing a dazzling array of goods.

From cosmetics and massage chairs to flying cars and humanoid robots, the arrival of retail commodities from all over the world offered a window into the vitality of China's ever-evolving consumer market.

This year's expo, which concluded on Friday, attracted over 1,760 enterprises and 4,200 brands from more than 70 countries and regions. A record-breaking 65 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders participated in the six-day event.