In 2006, retail sales in Guangdong recorded 911.81 billion yuan, an increase of 15.7% over the previous year, firmly ranking the first in the country. Specifically, retail sales at or above county level reached 685.583 billion yuan, up by 15.4% and those at or below county level totaled 226.225 billion yuan, up by 16.6%.

The wholesale and retail sectors generated a total sale of 2345.082 billion yuan, up by 15.7%. The logistics sector realized a total added value of 119.739 billion yuan, increased by 17.1%. The chain-enterprises above designated-size of wholesale, retail, hotel and catering amounted to 207 with outlets of 14,893, and generated retails of 183.293 billion yuan, an increase of 24.9%. 298 commodity trading markets recorded trade volume of over 100 million yuan each and realized a total trade volume of 256.296 billion yuan, an increased of 24.4%.

New sectors and agencies enjoy a rapid development. Department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, pro-shops, and warehousing stores have taken up the markets for consumer goods and services. At the same time, non-store based trading, such as direct selling, postal purchase, TV shopping, and online buying, has also undergone fast development. Panyu Clifford Mansion and eight other of its kind in Guangzhou were listed as National Models for Community-based Business and 22 commercial enterprises were awarded the honor of China's Old Brandname.