Growth rate of sales volume declined largely

Despite that the growth rate of retail sales value of apparel remain the same as last year, regarding structure contribution, the growth of the average unit price accounted mainly for the growth of retail value. However the growth rate of retail volume, under the pressure of the inflation, decidedly less than the same period last year. In May and June when price level were high, there was slight growth of apparel retail sales volume in nationwide 100 major department stores.

According to CNCIC, the first half of 2011, the retail sales volume of all apparel products gained 6.86 percent growth Y/Y, dropped 6.81 percent from the same period last year. In May and June, consecutively there were slight Y/Y growth, 0.86 percent and 1.23 percent repectively, 15.53 percent and 14.24 percent lower than the same period last year.

Among all apparel products, the retail sales volume of sportswear posted a remarkable growth in the first half of this year. For instance, the growth for both jeans and sportswear were above 10 percent; moreover, men’s suits, men’s shirts and ladies’ wear all increased in a fast way more than 5 percent. By contrast, pants and cashmere and wool sweaters’ retail volume presented yet a falling trendency Y/Y.

CTEI