# Chinese Middle Class

Stagnation in the Aisles: China’s Retail Growth Grinds to a Near-Halt

China's retail sales growth plummeted to a near-zero 0.2% in April 2026, driven by a contraction in urban spending and a shift away from luxury goods. While online sales and rural consumption provided minor offsets, the data underscores a deepening crisis of confidence among China's middle-class consumers.