China's retail sales reached 7,266.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year rise of 18.2 percent in the first half of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced Thursday.

Sales on domestic markets enjoyed fast growth and the popular commodities maintained high sales. The retail sales in cities reached 6,265.9 billion yuan, up by 18.6 percent, and the retail sales in rural areas stood at 1,001.0 billion yuan, up by 15.6 percent.

Grouped by consumption patterns, the income of catering industry was 818.1 billion yuan, up by 16.9 percent; that of retail sales of commodities, 6,448.8 billion yuan, up by 18.4 percent. In particular, the retail sales by businesses above designated size reached 2,646.5 billion yuan, up by 30.0 percent.

Rapid growth was registered in emerging areas for consumption: the sales of motor vehicles rose by 37.1 percent; that of furniture went up by 38.5 percent, and that of household appliances and audio-video equipment grew by 28.8 percent.