Popularity of consumption by card, internet up in Beijing

Beijing (CNS) -- Retail consumption by credit card and through online channels are becoming more popular in Beijing. Recent statistics show about 70 percent of the first quarter capital retail consumption turnover was done by card, and online consumption grew by 43.2 percent.

In the first three months of 2012, Beijing's rail sales of consumer goods reached 183.61 billion yuan (about US$ 29.1 billion), up 14.3 percent year on year, according to a municipal economic overview briefing held on Sunday.

Capital residents have expanded their fields of consumption by card from real estate and auto products to a wider range of items including home appliances, and wedding and educational services.

Urban and rural consumption expenditures per capita jumped by 12.4 and 10.7 percent respectively. In terms of education, cultural and entertainment costs, the two groups spent 15.6 and 29.7 more than in the same period last year.

Cars and smart phones take up about 74 percent of the city's retail consumption increase. The turnover of smart phones in particular almost doubled in the three month period.