E-commerce gives capital's Spring Festival sales a boost

Online sales helped boost the growth rate of consumption in Beijing over Spring Festival to its highest level in five years, according to the Municipal Commission of Commerce.

Peng Feng, an official with the commission, said 120 major enterprises that it monitors in the commerce and service sectors had recorded a total revenue of 4.68 billion yuan ($680 million) during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday from Jan 27 to Feb 2, equating to 9.8-percent year-on-year growth.

Online retailers, such as JD.com and Suning, have played a key role in this growth, as they stayed open during the holidays and offered promotions, Peng said.

Meanwhile, traditional brands in the food sector have also promoted online sales, such as Quanjude, a Peking duck chain restaurant, and Daoxiangcun, a company known for its traditional Chinese pastries.

The takeout food sector also grew during the time, especially set reunion dinner gift packages on New Year’s Eve, Peng said. Year of Rooster dishes made from chicken were especially well received as the word "rooster" is a synonym for "lucky" or "auspicious" in Chinese.

In offline markets, sales also increased as malls achieved their first growth for three years, and supermarkets and convenience stores achieved growth of more than 10 percent.

Peng said supplies of groceries were ample during the holiday, with the average price down more than 10 percent compared to last year, thanks to advance preparations.