China's Internet consumption maintained rapid growth and the 3,000 retail enterprises monitored by China's Ministry of Commerce realized a year-on-year increase of 34.7% in the Internet sales sector from January to September 2013.

Mofcom predicted that during the first three quarters of 2013, the Internet consumer retail sales would reach CNY1.3 trillion, which is equal to that of the entire year of 2012. During the same period, the sales of department stores, supermarkets, and specialty stores increased by 11.1%, 8.4%, and 6.9%, respectively.

According to statistics provided by the Mofcom, during the first nine months of 2013, large- and medium-sized distribution companies maintained stable sales and the 3,000 retail enterprises monitored by Mofcom achieved a sales increase of 8.9% year-on-year, which was 0.7 percentage points higher than the same period of 2012.

At the same time, demand for automotive, communication, and consumer preservation products declined. During the first nine months of 2013, the sales of automobiles increased by 2.1% year-on-year, which was 4.3 percentage points lower than the same period of last year; and the sales of communication products increased by 4.7% year-on-year, which was six percentage points lower.