Retail spending in towns and cities jumped 16 percent in April from a year earlier. In rural areas, the increase was 14.6 percent.

The increased wealth of China's consumers is leading retailers to boost investment.

Suning Appliance Co., China's second-biggest home appliance retailer, last month said it plans to raise about 2.4 billion yuan by selling shares to develop a chain of 250 outlets and two flagship shops in Shanghai and central Wuhan city.

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