China's retail sector recorded robust growth during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, with average daily sales of key large retail enterprises surging 24 percent year-on-year, showed the latest data from the China General Chamber of Commerce.

The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, fell on Feb. 17 this year, with the nine-day official holiday starting on Feb. 15. This year's travel rush began on Feb. 2 and will continue until March 13.

During the Spring Festival holiday, the average daily retail sales of gold, silver and jewelry products climbed 33.4 percent year on year, with major first-tier cities experiencing a significant surge in demand for these high-value items as consumers flocked to malls during the festive break.

The demand for festive gatherings and family reunions also drove a substantial increase in essential goods, with daily sales of food products rising by 23 percent compared to last year. Meanwhile, the apparel sector recorded a 17.3 percent increase in daily sales, fueled by the tradition of buying new clothes for the Chinese New Year and the needs of those traveling back to their hometowns. Within this category, sportswear emerged as a standout performer in the market.

In addition, the technology sector benefited a lot from supportive government measures. Driven by the trade-in policy, average daily sales of communication equipment maintained double-digit growth throughout the holiday period, signaling a continued release of consumption potential across the country.