China's consumer market maintained stable and orderly operation with sufficient supplies and stable prices of daily necessities as the October 1-7 National Day holiday season passed its halfway point.
According to big data from the Ministry of Commerce, the 78 closely monitored pedestrian streets and business districts across the country registered a 3.4 percent year-on-year growth in passenger flow and a 5.3 percent increase in business turnover during the first three days of the holiday.
In the period, consumer goods trade-in initiatives have driven total sales of 19.63 billion yuan (2.93 billion U.S. dollars), benefiting 3.483 million people.
Specifically, 46,000 vehicles were sold under the program, driving 7.45 billion yuan (1.1 billion U.S. dollars) in new car sales in the first three days of the holiday season. A total of 1.511 million home appliances were replaced, generating 6.5 billion yuan (969 million U.S. dollars) in sales, and 1.709 million new digital and smart products were purchased, contributing 4.9 billion yuan (730.8 million U.S. dollars) to total sales on October 1-3.
The ministry said that in the first four days of the holiday, 200 major national wholesale markets for agricultural and sideline products maintained ample inventory, with prices of grain, oil, pork, beef, mutton and fruits basically unchanged from pre-holiday levels, and with prices of vegetables, chicken and eggs dropping by 0.5 percent, 0.5 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.
China’s consumer market stable, robust during National Day holiday
During the National Day holiday, a lively shaomai food festival has drawn large crowds to Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, with residents and visitors savoring the traditional delicacy and trying their hand at making it themselves.
Boasting a history of at least 700 years, shaomai is a beloved steamed dumpling known for its cylindrical shape and pleated, flower-like top. The traditional craft of making it is officially recognized as an Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region-level intangible cultural heritage item.
The festival kicked off on October 1 at Saishang Old Street, Hohhot's most vibrant and bustling commercial hub, blending tradition with innovation. Alongside classic mutton-filled shaomai, vendors are introducing creative new flavors to cater to diverse tastes. To amplify the celebration, local authorities have partnered with e-commerce platforms and businesses to distribute consumption vouchers across more than 60 restaurants, driving a sharp rise in foot traffic and dining revenue throughout the district.
"It really brought the holiday spirit to life. I hope the aroma of our shaomai travels far and wide, drawing friends from all over the country to visit us in Hohhot," said Mr. Zhang, a local resident.
The three-day event immersed visitors in a mix of food, culture, shopping and entertainment, injecting fresh momentum into the local holiday economy.
"The Shaomai Festival is a major part of our holiday events, attracting huge crowds of residents and tourists to come and taste the food. Foot traffic and dining spending have grown significantly compared with the same period last year. As a signature local delicacy, shaomai is truly fueling a booming holiday economy in Hohhot," said Xue Jianli, an official from the Hohhot Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio and Television.
Shaomai Festival whets appetites, boosts holiday spending in Inner Mongolia
