WHOLESALE,RETAIL SALES AND CATERING TRADE

Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods refer to the sum of retail sales of consumer goods by the establishments in wholesale trade, retail sale trade,catering trade, manufacturing industry and other industries of different types of ownership, to urban and rural residents and social groups.This indicator is used to show the supply of consumers goods through various channels to households and institutions to meet their demands, and is therefore very important for the study of the issues on people's livelihood,on the purchasing power of consumer goods and on the circulation of money.The retail sales of consumer goods include: (1) commodities sold to urban and rural residents forresidential use and building materials sold to them for the construction of repair of houses; ( 2)food and fuels sold to canteens of institutions,enterprises, schools,military units and to canteens of hotels and hostels that only serve their guests, and commodities produced by enterprises,institutions of state farms and sold directly to their employees of their canteens; ( 3) grain and non- staple food, clothing, daily articles and fuels sold to military personnel; ( 4) cosumer goods sold to foreigners, overseas Chinese, and Chinese compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao during their stay in the mainland of China; (5) Chinese and western medicines, herbs and medicalfacilities purchased by residents; (6) newspapers, books and magazines directly sold to residentsand social groups by publishers, new and old commemorative stamps,special stamps ,first- day covers,stamp albums and other stamp-collection articles sold by stamp companies; (7) consumer goods purchased and then sold by second-hand shops; (8)stoves and other heating facilities and liquified gas sold by gas companies to households and institutions;and (9) commodities sold by farmers to non- agricultural residents and social groups. Excluded under this heading are: raw materials, fuels,epuipment, tools sold to enterprises, institutions and state farms for production purpose;commodities sold to trade establishments for re- selling;commissioned sales at second- hand shops;operational income of urban public utilities; stamps sold at post offices;income of water, power,gas production and supply establishmets from the supply of their products; and sales of commodities among farmers.

Pruchase, Sales and Stock of Commodities by Wholesale and Retail Trade refer to the purchase,sales and stock of commodities by wholesale and retail estabilshments of different ownership (excluding individual sellers).

Total Purchasses of Commodities refer to the purchases of commodities by the establishments fromother establishments or individuals (including direct import from abroad )for the purpose of re -selling, either with or without further processing of the commodities purchased.

This indicator isused to show the total value of purchases of commodities by wholesale and retail establishmentsfrom domestic and overseas markets. The total purchases include: (1) agricultual and industrial products purchased from producers; (2) books,magazines and newspapers purchased from distribution departments of the publishers; (3)commodities purchased from wholesale and retail establishments;(4)commodities purchased from other units, such as surplus materials purchased from govermnent agencies, enterprises or institutions, commodities purchased from cate ring and service establishments, confiscated goods purchased from customs authorities or market m anagement agencies,second-hand goods and wastes purchased from residents; and (5) commodities directly imported from abroad.Excluded are commodities purchased by establishments (units) for use in their own businessoperation, commodities obtained without buying or selling procedures, rejected commodities, etc.

Total Sales of Commodities refer to selling of commodities by the establishments to other establishments and individuals (including direct export). This indicator is used to show the total value of sales of commodities at domestic markets and export. The total sales include: (1)commodities sold to urban and rural residents and social groups for their consumption; (2)commodities sold to establishments in industry, agriculture, construction, transportation, post and telecommunications, wholesale and retail trades, catering trade and public utility for their production and operation; (3)commodities sold to wholesale and retail establishments for re -selling, with or without further processing; and (4) commodities for direct to other countries.Excluded are selling of waste packaging materials used by the establishments ( units) themselves, commoditie stransferred without buying of selling procedures,commission income from brokerage in transcationswhose settlement is directly handled by buyers and sellers, rejected commodities in the purchase,loss in commodities, etc.

Commodity Stock of Wholesale and Retail Enterprices at Year- End refers to total commodities possessed by wholesale and retail enterprises (units) of various types of owners hip, which reflects the commodity stock level of various wholesale and retail enterprises and the potential for market supply. It includes: (1)commodites located in storage,garages, counters, and shelves of operating units (such as sale stores,wholesale centers, and operating offices ) of wholesale and retail enterprises; (2)commodities in the process of selecting, sorting, and packing; (3) commodities not arrived but recorded as purchase in the account, i.e. commodities not arrived but payment receiptsfor the commodities from the sellers or the banks arrived;(4) commodities deposited in other places rather than places mentioned above,for instance:commodities in the hold of purchasers temporarily due to the refusal of payment and commodities not taken back after going through the formalities; (5)commodities entrusted entrusted to other units to sell but not sold yet; (6) commodities purchased for other units but not delivered yet.Commodities not included as stock are thos e not owned by theenterprises (units),those allocated to financially independent factories rather than wholesale and retail enterprises for processing but not taken back yet, and finally those put in stock bywholesale and retail enterprises on behalf of the state material reserves units. In the calculation of the value of commodities stock at the end of period, the value is calculated at purchasing prices in agricultural goods purchasing units and wholesale units, and at the a ccunting prices in retail units.

Volume of Business (Transaction Value) at Urban and Rural Free Market refers to the value of all goods changed hands between sellers and buyers, includiug farmers, non- agricultural residents,institutions,organizations,enterprises and private, at urban and rural free markets. It is a comprehensive indicator used to show the size of the transaction at the free trade markets.