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Beijing (AFP) Feb 20, 2010 Retail sales in China during the Lunar New Year holiday rocketed by more than a sixth on last year, state media reported Saturday, in a possible sign of growing confidence among the billions of Chinese consumers. Shops across the country rang up 340 billion yuan (49.8 billion dollars) in sales, up 17.2 percent from the same period in 2009, Xinhua news agency said, citing figures from the commerce ministry. As families across the country reunited to celebrate the Spring Festival, an important holiday marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year, people splashed out on food, tobacco and liquor. Food sales jumped 16.5 percent while sales of tobacco and liquor were up 13.2 percent during the holiday period, which ended Friday. Communications equipment, jewellery and home appliances were also popular, with sales up 19.2 percent, 19.1 percent and 15.4 percent respectively. On Friday a record 6.33 million passengers took the train as swathes of the country prepared to return to work, Xinhua said, citing the railways ministry. A total of around 210 million passengers are expected to have taken trains during the new year travel period, which ends on March 10. Nearly 30 million more will have travelled by air.
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