Zhejiang sees steady consumer growth in Q1

Workers sort a massive volume of parcels at a logistics center in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang province's retail sales rose 4.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, totaling 929.3 billion yuan ($127.45 billion), according to statistics released at a provincial news conference on April 21.

That growth rate is 0.5 percentage points higher than last year's full-year figure. The January–February period saw a 2.7 percent rise, while March alone surged to 8.2 percent.

"The market is not only stable but improving month by month," said Fan Fengxu, an official with the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province. "And we're seeing clear gains from our trade-in policies."

Those trade-in incentives — encouraging people to replace old goods with new — are having an impact. Retail sales of communication devices more than doubled. Sales of home appliances jumped 41.5 percent, and new energy vehicle sales rose 16.3 percent.

Fan said Zhejiang will help export-oriented firms. Support includes linking them with supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and retail channels.

According to him, the province will host over 500 consumer events in the second quarter. One highlight, a provincial food festival later this month, is aimed at boosting restaurant spending.