Insight ReportCoronavirus Insights: China’s GDP Drops for the First Time in Decades; March Retail Sales Fall, but Pace of Decline Eases Coresight Research April 20, 2020 Reasons to ReadAs coronavirus lockdowns ease in China, we review a number of newly released economic metrics to consider the impacts of the outbreak and the shape of the recovery that is emerging: In the first quarter or 2020, GDP fell for the first time in decades—we look at the pace of decline. Retail sales continued to decline in March 2020—we review the sequential changes versus prior months and assess the changes in retail sales by sector, including food/grocery, apparel, beauty, electronics and home goods. We also look at the emerging shape of the recovery in China retail sales and consumer demand. Industrial production declined in March 2020—and we consider what that tells us about the likely shape of the economic recovery. Click here to view Coresight Research’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: Agentic Commerce: How Retailers Can Employ OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol To Unleash a True AI Shopping AgentEconomic Sentiment Declines Significantly: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 43, 2025—Data GraphicAgentic Commerce: What Retailers Need to Know for Holiday 2025 and to Succeed in 2026—Premium Subscriber Call, October 2025Analyst Corner: The Shifting “Friction Gap” Between Stores and E-Commerce Is Benefitting Digital Channels, with John Mercer
