Labor Day break pushes card billings 27% higher

Chinese bankcard owners' expenditure surged an annual 27 percent during the three-day Labor Day holiday on strong retail spending while that on travel soared 68 percent.

They splurged 145 billion yuan (US$23 billion) with their bankcards from Sunday to Tuesday, according to a report released yesterday by China UnionPay, the country's sole bankcard transaction firm.

They spent 29 percent more at domestic retailers and their retail expenditure overseas jumped 28 percent, UnionPay said, without giving the actual figures.

The total amount of billings during the holiday at supermarkets and convenience stores rose 27 percent from the same period a year earlier, while their spending at restaurants added 14 percent and expenditure at department stores gained 12 percent.

Travel agencies reported a 68 percent surge in spending by the bankcard owners and operators at major scenic spots collected 47 percent more in entry fees, according to the report.