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China's National Day Holiday Consumption Boom: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China's National Day holiday saw strong growth in service consumption and goods sales. Foreign founders can use these insights to understand consumer trends and market opportunities in China.

China's National Day Holiday Consumption Highlights

China's State Taxation Administration (STA) analyzed value-added tax invoice data to assess sales revenue across consumer-related industries during the National Day holiday. The results, released on October 8, 2026, show robust growth in service consumption and selected goods. For foreign founders operating or planning to register a company in China, these trends offer valuable insights into consumer behavior and market opportunities.

Overall Service Consumption

During the holiday, nationwide service consumption was strong. The average daily sales revenue of related industries increased by 19.5% year-on-year. This indicates a vibrant consumer market, which can benefit businesses in sectors such as tourism, dining, entertainment, and retail.

Tourism and Accommodation

Tourism consumption showed significant vitality. Sales revenue from tourism and entertainment services grew by 23.6% year-on-year. Within this sector, travel agency services increased by 26.2%, and amusement park services surged by 41.2%. The surge in tourism also boosted demand for diverse accommodation options. Revenue from economy chain hotels grew by 6.3%, while homestay services rose by 12.8%. Foreign founders in the hospitality sector may find opportunities to cater to these evolving preferences.

Food and Beverage

Family gatherings and wedding banquets during the holiday drove strong dining consumption. Catering services revenue increased by 9% year-on-year. Notably, specialty food streets and night markets flourished, leading to a 15.5% growth in snack services. Fast-food services grew by 30.6%, providing convenience for travelers. The rapid development of new-style tea drinks drove revenue from beverage and cold drink services to more than double compared to the previous year. These trends suggest a growing demand for diverse and convenient dining options.

Culture, Sports, and Entertainment

The integration of culture, sports, and entertainment continued to improve. New formats and diverse offerings enriched the consumer market. Many regions hosted concerts, cultural performances, and folk activities, driving a 20.9% increase in cultural and artistic services revenue. Specifically, literary and artistic creation and performance services grew by 21%, and mass cultural and sports activities increased by 28.3%. Events such as the China Open tennis tournament converted audience traffic into consumption, boosting sports services revenue by 29.4%. Foreign founders in entertainment and event management may explore similar opportunities.

Home Appliances, Digital Products, and Kitchenware

Sales of home appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products were particularly strong. Several factors contributed: partial implementation of trade-in subsidies for consumer goods before the holiday, concentrated launches of new digital products, and release of pent-up demand for home upgrades during the long holiday. Revenue from home appliances and audio-visual equipment increased by 40.1% year-on-year. Within this category, retail sales of daily appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines grew by 40.6%, and home audio-visual equipment like televisions increased by 36.6%. Communication equipment, including mobile phones and smart bands, saw a remarkable 119.8% increase. Retail sales of kitchenware and sanitary ware rose by 52.3%. These figures highlight strong consumer demand for upgraded and innovative products.

Implications for Foreign Founders

These consumption trends during the National Day holiday reflect China's dynamic consumer market. For foreign founders, understanding these patterns can inform business strategies, product offerings, and market entry timing. Sectors such as tourism, dining, entertainment, and consumer goods show particular promise. However, it is essential to conduct thorough market research and comply with local regulations. Registering a company in China requires navigating legal and tax requirements; seeking professional advice is recommended.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.