Storyline: China's retail industry prosperity index in September reached a new high in the past eight months, indicating a positive trend in the retail sector, according to the latest data released by the China General Chamber of Commerce on Saturday. The data reveal that the index stood at 50.6 percent in September, up 0.5 percentage points from the previous month, marking the second consecutive month of growth and the highest level in eight months. By sector, the merchandise sales index reached 50.6 percent, rising by 0.9 percentage points month on month. The leasing operations index was 51.4 percent, down 0.7 percentage points from the previous month but remaining in the medium-high prosperity range. The e-commerce operations index returned to the expansion zone, with the online total merchandise index rebounding by 0.8 percentage points from the previous month, ending a four-month declining trend. Analysis indicates that as various regions updated their subsidy policies for trade-in programs and the back-to-school season arrived, consumer demand for goods continued to recover. Retailers actively stocked up, showing significantly stronger confidence in profitability, and the industry's development trend is clearly improving. Shotlist: FILE: Shanghai, China - July 28, 2025: 1. Various of people in shopping mall FILE: Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, south China - Aug 2025: 2. Stores in mall 3. Saleswoman showing home appliances to consumers FILE: China - Aug 2025: 4. Various of customers shopping for home appliance 5. Customers at check-out counter FILE: Beijing, China - Aug 2025: 6. Various of moviegoers having tickets checked FILE: Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, east China - Aug 2025: 7. Various of people watching movie FILE: Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, southwest China - Aug 2025: 8. Various of tourists taking photos 9. Various of shopping street, tourists in shops 10. Various of diners, local delicacy FILE: Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Date Unknown: 11. Various of salespeople, customers at car dealership FILE: Shanghai, China - July 28, 2025: 12. Various of people on shopping street. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]