China's E-commerce Sector Records Stable Growth in Q1 2026

Beijing (ANTARA) - China’s e-commerce sector recorded stable growth in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, driven by supportive policies and promotional campaigns, the Ministry of Commerce stated on Wednesday (29 April).

China’s online retail sales of goods and services grew 8% year-on-year (yoy) in Q1 2026, with online retail sales of goods accounting for 24.8% of total consumer goods sales, according to data from the ministry.

In the January-March 2026 period, sales of smart glasses and digital cameras surged 161.9% and 71.5% (yoy) respectively, while online-booked travel and catering services rose 33.4% and 21.6% respectively.

Online retail sales of agricultural products increased 14.7% (yoy) in Q1 2026, while the transaction value of e-commerce for major industrial products rose 10.5%, according to the ministry.

Driven by the Silk Road e-commerce initiative, several partner countries recorded surges in exports to China, the ministry stated, noting that online retail sales of Indonesian coffee beans, Hungarian facial cleansers, and Chilean plums jumped 284.9%, 186.6%, and 133.2% respectively in Q1 2026.