China 's retail sector growth slowed in October , marking a decrease in consumption . October 's retail sales saw a YoY increase of just 2 % , according to the National Bureau of Statistics , its lowest level since May. The lower - than - expected sales , which followed 9.2 % YoY growth in September , contributed to a domestic economic slowdown fuelled by rising household debt turning into disposable income while investment returns fell . While seasonal shortages also contributed to the decreasing growth rate , analysts have been quick to indicate that the retail sector 's downturn started in March , while the government 's fiscal stimulus was not brought in quickly enough .
China's retail sector growth slowed in October, marking a decrease in consumption. October's retail sales saw a YoY increase of just 8.6%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, its lowest level since May. The lower-than-expected sales, which followed 9.2% YoY growth in September, point to a domestic consumption slowdown fuelled by rising household debt eating into disposable income while investment returns dropped. While seasonal factors also contributed to the decreasing growth rate, analysts have been quick to indicate that the retail sector's downturn started in March, while the government's fiscal stimulus was not brought in quickly enough.