MNI BRIEF: China’s Online Retail Sales Up 7.7% Y/Y

China’s online retail sales increased by 7.7% y/y from January to April, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday, highlighting improved consumer quality had strengthened domestic circulation.

Internet sales of digital products increased by 8.4%, among which smart robots and home systems increased by 87% and 16%, while online sales of 15 categories of home appliances and digital products increased by 11.5%, with mobile phones up 18.5% y/y.

China's domestic challenges include the danger that cautious household and corporate spending trap liquidity within the financial system, weakening stimulus, an advisor recently told MNI. (See MNI INTERVIEW: China Has Room For Further)