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Spending surges on durable consumer goods during the hot summer helped push up July retail sales in China by 8.6 percent year-on-year, official figures show.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday retail sales surged to 309.66 billion yuan (37.4 billion US dollars) in July due to hot demand for air conditioners and summer apparel.
NBS figures showed that retail sales in urban areas totaled 198.08 billion yuan (US$24 billion) in July, up 9.8 percent. Retail sales in rural areas amounted to 111.58 billion yuan (US$13.5 billion), up 6.5 percent.
The NBS said high summer temperatures helped stimulate sales of air conditioners and summer wear. Business promotions also helped drum up demand for off-season goods such as down coats.
Sales of computers, telecommunication equipment and automobiles jumped. The school holidays boosted sales of publications, and restaurant and tourism spending, the NBS said.
（Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2002）
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