Introduce new, issue coupons, increase revenue, and there are plans to tap the potential of consumption

　　Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai, October 22 -

　　Xinhua News Agency reporters He Xinrong, Zheng Lu, Hu Xu

　　Consumption is the "ballast stone" of China's economy.

In the first three quarters of this year, China's total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 16.4% year-on-year, and the two-year average growth rate was 3.9%.

Despite downward pressure on economic growth, there are still many bright spots in the consumer sector.

Localities are optimizing the consumption environment, issuing consumer vouchers, and increasing residents' income to tap the potential for consumption upgrades, continue to enhance the supporting role of consumption for economic development, and continuously improve the quality of life of the people.

Up-to-date: Optimizing the environment to promote consumption "new" wind blows

　　When night falls, the laid-back "Slow Chengdu" shows agility and vitality.

Located on both sides of Jiaozi Avenue in the Jiaozi Park business district in Chengdu, 26 "box houses" are lined up along the street, a new type of reading culture space "Duoyun Academy", a trendy brand collection buyer store "MEIMEI", and an electric smart locomotive "Dafenqi" "The country's first experience center hides in it, becoming a new fashion space sought after by Generation Z.

　　Looking at the entire Chengdu, from retail to catering, from international big names to national trendy rookies, all kinds of tailor-made city edition first stores are emerging and blooming everywhere.

According to the "Report on China's First Store Economic Development in 2021", Chengdu opened 296 first stores in the first half of 2021, second only to Shanghai and Beijing, and ranked first in the nation's first store economic "first echelon".

　　Avant-garde culture and trendy shopping, together with the giant pandas and Wuhou Temple in Chengdu, attract tourists from all over the country.

"I haven't had enough this time. I have made an appointment with my friends to come to Chengdu next long vacation." said Yang Rong, a tourist from Zhejiang.

　　In July of this year, the Ministry of Commerce announced that it would take the lead in developing international consumption center cities in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing.

The first store, the first launch, and the first exhibition have become one of the standard equipment for the construction of an international consumption center city.

　　High-end retail, fashion trends, catering and entertainment, culture and art... The large-scale commercial complex opened on the eve of the National Day-Shanghai Pudong Qiantan Taikoo Li, gathered more than 200 merchants, including more than 50 first stores of various types.

During the National Day, the average daily passenger flow in Taikoo Li Qiantan remained at more than 100,000, and after the festival, people still followed the crowd.

　　After the "wave-discharging" development of the consumption of food, clothing, home appliances, automobiles and other commodities, China has entered a new stage of consumption upgrading. Continuously upgraded business models and constantly updated consumer demand have accumulated new momentum for economic development.

The first stores of all kinds are important carriers of the "new" style of consumption.

　　Promoting the “new up-to-the-new” consumption requires a more complete institutional environment.

Gu Jun, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, said that in the construction of an international consumption center city, Shanghai will further make good use of the large platform of the China International Import Expo, continue to optimize the customs clearance and commodity inspection procedures for imported exhibits and commodities, accelerate the formation of a consumer supply of thousands of merchants, and open up international brands. The channel of Shanghai debuts, debuts and first exhibitions has made Shanghai a gathering place for global new products and first stores.

Issuing coupons: "Four or two allocations of thousands of dollars", benefiting the people and helping enterprises

　　With the help of consumer vouchers, this year's "October" holiday has become the hottest "Golden Week" in Hubei in the past three years.

Eight large-scale catering companies in Wuhan achieved a turnover of 52.47 million yuan, an increase of 16.1% over the same period in 2020.

　　Since September this year, in order to boost consumer confidence and invigorate the consumer market, Hubei Province has issued multiple rounds of consumer coupons.

The total amount of coupons received in the first round of Mid-Autumn Festival stalls exceeded 500 million yuan, and the total amount of coupons received in the second round of National Day stalls exceeded 773 million yuan. The two rounds of consumer coupons drove a total of 3.5 billion yuan in consumption.

Consumers' enthusiasm for using coupons continued to increase, and the write-off rate of consumption coupons for National Day files reached 61.90%.

　　At the entrance of Haidilao Hotpot Pinmao Store in Wuhan, the dine-in table was in short supply. Mr. Li, who came to have dinner with a friend, said: “Many people in the Mid-Autumn Festival don’t know the coupons, so it’s better to grab them. In seconds, you can't get large coupons at all."

　　Consumer vouchers not only benefit the common people, but also encourage businesses whose businesses have been damaged by the epidemic.

In the two rounds of consumer coupon issuance, hundreds of thousands of merchants participated in the verification of coupons.

Many supermarkets such as Suning Tesco and Wushang Asia Trade Plaza have posted "coupon receiving" signs in conspicuous positions, attracting a large number of customers.

　　The relevant person in charge of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce said: “Retail and catering consumption can best reflect the city’s pyrotechnic atmosphere. After two rounds of consumer vouchers, the public’s enthusiasm for participation continues to rise, and the demand for consumer vouchers is in short supply. Consumers get benefits, and businesses and businesses increase their profits."

　　On October 20th, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province issued the 2021 cultural and tourism-benefiting consumer vouchers; from October 23rd, Jilin City, Jilin Province will organize the "98 Consumption Festival" consumer vouchers (the second phase)...Recently, Consumer vouchers aresuance activities in various parts of the country one after another.

Increase income: inject lasting impetus into consumption growth

　　In the final analysis, the sustained and steady growth of consumption depends on the pocketbook of the people.

In particular, it is necessary to stabilize employment while effectively increasing the income level of low- and middle-income groups in order to increase the overall consumption capacity of residents.

　　Since the beginning of this year, China has further increased the tax reduction and exemption for small and micro enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households. On the basis of the current preferential policies, the taxable income of less than 1 million yuan will be levied on income tax by half.

The recent executive meeting of the State Council proposed that we should expeditiously study inclusive policies including phased tax and fee reductions.

　　Ziqiang Bookstore, located in Jiangxia District, Wuhan City, focuses on selling books and teaching aids.

“Affected by the epidemic last year, many students did not return to school on time, their business was much less, and they earned nearly 20% less than in previous years.” The shop owner Chen Tao said that a series of support policies issued by the state include exemption of value-added tax for small-scale taxpayers, etc. The discount really helped them.

　　Statistics show that in the first three quarters of this year, the national per capita disposable income of residents was 26,265 yuan, a real year-on-year increase of 9.7% after deducting price factors, and an average growth of 5.1% in two years, basically in line with economic growth.

　　Experts analyze that in the future adjustment of the income distribution pattern, we must find a way to allow residents to take more.

Only when the income of residents increases and the size of the middle-income group expands can we inject lasting impetus into consumption growth.