Published by ChinaMNC · Laohekou

China's National Day Holiday Data Shows Strong Service Consumption: What Foreign Founders Should Know

China's tax authority's VAT invoice data for the 2026 National Day holiday shows strong growth in service consumption across tourism, dining, entertainment, and consumer goods. Here is what foreign founders operating or registering a company in China should take away from these figures.

What the Latest Holiday Consumption Data Shows

China's State Taxation Administration released VAT invoice data on October 8 covering the 2026 National Day holiday. According to the figures, reported by People's Daily, service consumption nationwide was robust during the holiday period, with average daily sales revenue in relevant industries up 19.5% year on year. Certain goods categories also performed well, with notable increases in sales of home appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products.

For foreign founders building or running a business in China, these numbers offer a useful read on where consumer demand is concentrated—and which sectors may reward early positioning. The data reflects VAT invoicing activity, so it tracks formal, registered business transactions rather than informal spending.

Sector-by-Sector Highlights

Travel and Hospitality

Travel consumption showed strong momentum. Revenue from tourism sightseeing and entertainment services rose 23.6% year on year. Within that, travel agency services grew 26.2% and amusement parks grew 41.2%. Demand for diverse accommodation also expanded: budget chain hotels rose 6.3% and homestay services rose 12.8%.

Founders in hospitality, travel tech, or related service platforms should note that growth is not limited to one segment—both organized travel and independent accommodation are expanding.

Food and Beverage

Catering services revenue increased 9% year on year. Snack services grew 15.5% and fast-food services grew 30.6%. Rapid growth in new-style tea drinks drove revenue from beverages and cold drinks services up more than twofold.

For founders considering food and beverage ventures, the data points to continued appetite for convenience formats and innovative beverage concepts.

Culture, Sports, and Entertainment

Many localities hosted concerts, cultural performances, and folk activities during the holiday, lifting revenue from cultural and arts services by 20.9%. Within that category, literary and artistic creation and performance services rose 21%, and mass cultural and sports activities rose 28.3%. Events such as the China Open converted event traffic into consumption, driving sports services revenue up 29.4%.

This suggests that event-driven and experience-based businesses can capture meaningful spending—relevant for founders in live entertainment, sports, and related services.

Home Appliances, Digital Electronics, and Kitchen Products

Sales of home appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products were particularly strong. Revenue from home appliances and audio-visual equipment rose 40.1% year on year. Within that, retail of daily appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines rose 40.6%, and retail of home audio-visual equipment such as televisions rose 36.6%. Communication equipment including mobile phones and wristbands rose 119.8%. Retail of kitchen utensils and sanitary ware rose 52.3%.

The source attributes these increases to several factors: part of the consumer goods trade-in subsidy funds were disbursed before the holiday, new digital products launched in a concentrated period, and household replacement demand was released during the holiday.

Self-Care and Lifestyle Spending

Self-care-oriented consumption grew quickly. Revenue from pet services rose 80.8%, fitness and leisure activities rose 16.7%, and hair and beauty services rose 37.1%.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Service sectors are expanding. The broad 19.5% rise in service-related revenue indicates that consumer demand in China is not confined to goods—service businesses may find a receptive market.
• Policy incentives can move sales. The trade-in subsidy program is explicitly linked to the surge in appliance sales, so founders in consumer goods should monitor subsidy timing and eligibility.
• Experiential and event-driven demand is real. Sports events, performances, and cultural activities translated into measurable revenue growth.
• Niche lifestyle categories are growing fast. Pet services, fitness, and beauty showed double-digit or higher growth, which may suit smaller, focused entrants.

For foreign founders, the operational implication is straightforward: China's holiday consumption data reflects activity within the formal VAT invoicing system. Companies that register properly and issue compliant invoices are positioned to participate in—and benefit from—these documented trends. Understanding which sectors are growing, and why, can inform market entry, product launch timing, and local partnership decisions.

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

Foreign founders who want help registering and operating a company in China can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.