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China's Consumer Spending Struggles: 2026 Outlook Dims

3/13/2026

44 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

China's consumer spending faces a difficult start to 2026, the worst outside the pandemic.
Retail sales are projected to rise 2.1% in early 2026, and industrial production is expected to grow 5%, down from 5.9% in early 2025.
Fixed asset investment is forecast to decline 4.2%, while property investment contracts 19.3%.
Policymakers have not added new consumption measures, and the government has reduced subsidies for a consumer trade-in program.

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Story summary

China's consumer spending faces a difficult start to 2026, the worst outside the pandemic.
Retail sales are projected to rise 2.1% in early 2026, and industrial production is expected to grow 5%, down from 5.9% in early 2025.
Fixed asset investment is forecast to decline 4.2%, while property investment contracts 19.3%.
Policymakers have not added new consumption measures, and the government has reduced subsidies for a consumer trade-in program.