# catering

China’s Early‑Year Retail Recovery Is Uneven: Online and Dining Lead, Brand Stores and Autos Lag

China’s January–February retail sales rose 2.8% year‑on‑year to ¥86,079 billion, with online retail and catering leading gains while brand specialty stores and autos lag. The data show an uneven consumption recovery concentrated in necessities, supermarkets and digital channels, posing both opportunities and limits for China’s domestic‑demand strategy.