China's e-commerce sector has maintained healthy growth from January to October, with total online retail sales rising by 8.8 percent during the period, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.
In the first 10 months this year, the country's online retail sales totaled 12.4 trillion yuan (about 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars). Of this, online retail sales of physical goods reached 10.3 trillion yuan (about 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars), up 8.3 percent year on year, the ministry's data showed.
In October, boosted by the National Day holiday, the 'Double 11' shopping festival and trade-in program, online retail sales maintained steady growth, with rapid increases in the purchase of digital products and service consumption.
For example, online sales of smart home devices and mobile phones rose by 14.2 percent and 12.2 percent year on year, respectively, in October, while sales of range hoods and household stoves surged by 93 percent and 46.8 percent, respectively. Internet service consumption also increased by 15.5 percent.
In addition, the expansion of e-commerce has helped increase online sales of overseas fresh produce by making it easier to reach Chinese consumers.
From January to October, sales of Chilean cherries and Malaysian durians on Chinese e-commerce platforms increased by 107.8 percent and 23.6 percent year on year, respectively, according to the data.
China's online retail sales up 8.8 pct from January to October
