AI Data Insight
At the beginning of the third quarter of 2026 (July), China's total retail sales of consumer goods excluding autos increased by 2.5% YoY, flat compared to the previous month, showing certain resilience in core consumption. However, dragged down by a plunge in auto sales and the continued slump in the real estate chain, the overall retail growth rate significantly missed market expectations. This reflects a shift in household consumption towards defensive balance sheet contraction, and the subsequent recovery momentum of domestic demand still faces severe challenges.