

(File photo)
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's retail sales of consumer goods grew 10.1 percent year on year in August, 0.3 percentage points slower than that in July, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Thursday.
Total retail sales of consumer goods in the first eight months rose 10.4 percent year on year to hit 23.2 trillion yuan (about 3.5 trillion U.S. dollars), flat with the growth in the first seven months, the NBS said.
Online sales continued to outpace overall retail sales growth, surging 34.3 percent year on year in the first eight months, up from 33.7 percent in the first seven months.
Physical goods sold online expanded 29.2 percent year on year, up from 28.9 percent in the January-July period, accounting for 13.8 percent of total retail sales.
Retail sales in rural areas rose 11.5 percent in August, outpacing the 9.9-percent increase for urban areas.
China is trying to shift its economy toward a growth model driven by consumer spending, innovation and services, while weaning it off over-reliance on exports and investment.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses