Beijing consumers spent 2.34b yuan in New Year break

The chilly weather in Beijing did not cool down consumption in the three-day New Year break.

Sales in the period increased 8.4 percent year-on-year to 2.34 billion yuan ($375.6 million), the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce said on Thursday.

Sales at hot pot and barbecue restaurants — two popular types of food in the capital — increased more than 30 percent year-on-year during the period as the capital experienced the coldest New Year break in 30 years.

Sales of home appliances rose 14.1 percent year-on-year as more suburban residents relocate into affordable homes.

Gold products, including accessories and decorations, were also hot sellers before this year's Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 10.

The city received a total of 1.53 million tourists during the three-day holiday, which brought about revenue of 920 million yuan, up 19.2 percent year-on-year.

The number of tourists from cities outside Beijing reached 530,000, up 11.1 percent year-on-year, while their spending rose 25.9 percent year-on-year to 783 million yuan.

lijiabao@chinadaily.com.cn