Ministry of Commerce: Support the digital transformation of the traditional wholesale and retail industry to promote consumption expansion, capacity and quality improvement

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on July 17, the Department of Circulation Development of the Ministry of Commerce held a symposium on pilot work on a modern trade circulation system in Chongqing. The conference emphasized that, first, it is necessary to adhere to the combination of an overall perspective and outstanding characteristics, identify pilot work positions, form unique modern commercial and trade circulation development paths and models based on local resource endowments and industrial advantages, and raise the level of recognition of the pilot work. Second, we must adhere to the combination of revitalizing stocks and improving and increasing growth, support the digital transformation of traditional wholesale and retail industries, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of old commercial facilities, promote the transformation and upgrading of physical commerce, and at the same time vigorously develop new quality productivity, promote new technologies, new business formats and models, and cultivate high-quality commercial growth. Third, it is necessary to adhere to the combination of forging long boards and repairing shortcomings, optimize the layout of commercial and trade circulation facilities in counties, enrich the supply of brands, stimulate consumption vitality in the sinking market, comprehensively expand and upgrade the convenience living circle in a quarter of an hour, guide communities where high-quality commercial resources sink, and continuously improve the urban renewable resource recycling system to be close to people's livelihood and serve the masses. Fourth, it is necessary to adhere to the combination of facility construction and service upgrading, vigorously develop the digital intelligence supply chain, promote standardization of circulation, coordinate construction and operation, strengthen closed-loop management, and ensure the continued effectiveness of pilot projects.

The original text is as follows:

The Department of Circulation Development of the Ministry of Commerce held a symposium on the pilot work of modern trade circulation systems

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Circulation Development of the Ministry of Commerce held a symposium on the pilot work of the modern trade circulation system in Chongqing to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, implement the requirements of the Party Group of the Ministry of Commerce, summarize the results of the previous phase of pilot construction, exchange experiences and practices, analyze the situation and existing shortcomings, and redeploy the next stage of work. Comrade Li Jialu from the Distribution Development Department presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

The conference pointed out that it is necessary to accurately grasp the new situation and new tasks, consciously plan and advance the pilot work of the modern trade circulation system within the overall cause of the Party and the country, and respond to the needs of the times, the needs of development, and the expectations of the people. We must resolutely focus on expanding domestic demand as a strategic foundation, give full play to the role of commercial circulation as a hub connecting production and consumption, and promote consumption expansion and quality; focus on the difficulties and pain points of the transformation of the commercial and trade circulation industry, boldly explore and innovate, and compete to be a “pioneer” in reform and innovation; we must base ourselves on meeting people's needs for a better life, take good care of people's livelihood around the masses, and establish and implement a correct view of political performance.

The conference fully acknowledged the results of the previous phase of the pilot. At present, the pilot cities have supported the construction of more than 1,300 key projects, basically achieving full coverage of the “one market and two centers” of the city's key agricultural products wholesale markets, district and county renewable resource sorting centers, and township trade centers. They are at the forefront of the country in terms of the layout of commercial and trade circulation facilities, cost reduction and efficiency, and reform and innovation. However, the pilot work also had problems such as unclear job positioning, few ways to support industry transformation, and the need to improve the efficiency of the use of funds.

The conference emphasized the need to focus on the pilot construction requirements of “focus on modernity, focus on key points, invest intensively, and ensure effectiveness”, always adhere to the direction of modernization, adhere to iconic project-driven, systematic planning and fine management, and comprehensively improve the effectiveness of the pilot work. First, we must insist on focusing on the overall situation and combining outstanding characteristics, identify pilot work positions, form unique modern commercial and trade circulation development paths and models based on local resource endowments and industrial advantages, and raise the level of recognition of the pilot work. Second, we must adhere to the combination of revitalizing stocks and improving and increasing growth, support the digital transformation of traditional wholesale and retail industries, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of old commercial facilities, promote the transformation and upgrading of physical commerce, and at the same time vigorously develop new quality productivity, promote new technologies, new business formats and models, and cultivate high-quality commercial growth. Third, it is necessary to adhere to the combination of forging long boards and repairing shortcomings, optimize the layout of commercial and trade circulation facilities in counties, enrich the supply of brands, stimulate consumption vitality in the sinking market, comprehensively expand and upgrade the convenience living circle in a quarter of an hour, guide communities where high-quality commercial resources sink, and continuously improve the urban renewable resource recycling system to be close to people's livelihood and serve the masses. Fourth, it is necessary to adhere to the combination of facility construction and service upgrading, vigorously develop the digital intelligence supply chain, promote standardization of circulation, coordinate construction and operation, strengthen closed-loop management, and ensure the continued effectiveness of pilot projects. The conference called on all regions to effectively strengthen organizational leadership, take good care of batch classification guidance, boldly explore and innovate, adhere to the bottom line of financial security, urgently push for early implementation and early results of pilot projects, and contribute to expanding domestic demand, promoting consumption, and benefiting people's livelihood.

Comrades in charge of relevant provincial commercial departments, commercial authorities in pilot cities with modern trade circulation systems, and representatives of enterprises implementing some pilot projects participated. Relevant pilot cities and enterprises exchanged speeches.

This article was selected from the “Ministry of Commerce” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Jiang Yuanhua.