China's retail sales last month grew at their fastest clip since the start of the year, official figures showed Friday, an encouraging sign for Beijing as it looks to boost sluggish consumption.

China on Friday reported mixed economic data, including strong growth in retail sales, signaling that the country's recent stimulus push has already bolstered certain sectors of its flagging economy.

China's industrial output grew at a slower pace in October, while retail sales surprised on the upside, a mixed set of data that underlined the economy's struggles to pick up speed despite a recent blitz of policy support measures.

Retail sales in October increased 4.8 per cent from a year earlier, the best reading since February. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China released economic data revealing a boost in retail sales and slower declines in home prices, signalling economic recovery amid recent stimulus efforts. This recovery could benefit European luxury and mining stocks,