Latest information from ACNielsen finds that China's retail
sales volume of non-durable goods hit 36.3 billion yuan (US$4.39
billion) in 2002, or 10 percent up over 2001, in comparison with
the slack in the world retail market.
ACNielsen, a global firm delivering market research, information
and analysis to the consumer products and service industries,
unveiled this result in its new initiative: Eye on China's Market
Report.
Among the 29 categories of non-durable goods under the
nationwide survey such as food and beverages, the ACNielsen report
listed 15 categories with the largest sales volume. The carbonate
beverage ranked first with 10.4 billion yuan (US$1.256 billion)
sales volume. The second place went to shampoo. In 2002 shampoo
sales volume reached 8.6 billion yuan (US$1.038 billion), 18
percent up over the previous year. The top five categories also
included instant noodles, skin care articles and laundry
lotion.
In terms of price, eight among the 29 categories went up. Prices
for facial cleansing milk and foodstuffs for babies jumped highest,
averaging an increase of 11 percent. In 2002 the price for milk
powder rose by 9 percent over 2001. Prices for hair conditioner,
home cleansing articles, razors, milk powder and skin care articles
also saw a price increase.
Yet as to most categories of goods, market price declined in
2002. The shampoo price dropped by 2 percent, instant coffee by 9
percent and dry, crisp food by 11 percent. The prices for
toothpaste, chewing gums and instant noodles were almost the same
as the year 2001.
(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong September 28, 2003)