Nighttime tourism booms in Jilin. [Photo/Cailian News]

The consumer market in Northeast China's Jilin province has shown steady growth in the first quarter of this year, with total retail sales of consumer goods reaching 113.53 billion yuan ($15.89 billion), up 4.3 percent year-on-year, outperforming the national average.

Retail sales by enterprises above a designated size rose 7.6 percent, highlighting strong momentum in key segments. Urban and rural retail sales increased by 4.4 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively, while retail goods and catering revenue rose by 4.3 percent and 4.1 percent.

Consumers flock to purchase goods under trade-in incentive policies. [Photo/Cailian News]

Driven by trade-in policies, demand for big-ticket items surged, especially in green and smart products. Energy-efficient home appliances, digital devices, and intelligent equipment became increasingly popular among consumers. Subsidy programs significantly boosted sales, with home-appliance trade-ins generating over 1.08 billion yuan and digital product upgrades contributing more than 2.04 billion yuan.

New flagship stores, innovative cultural products, and integrated consumption scenarios combining traditional culture, performances, and dining attracted strong consumer interest. Catering revenue among large enterprises grew by 12.3 percent, reflecting rising demand for immersive and diversified experiences.

From stable everyday consumption and rapid upgrades in smart and green spending to policy-driven demand and the rise of experience-based consumption, Jilin's consumer market is broadening its scope and strengthening its role as a key driver of high-quality economic growth.