In October, China's apparel retail sales soared 33 percent from year-ago levels, which contrasts to only 13.6 percent growth in total Chinese apparel production. January through October cumulative apparel production grew 14 percent to 16.2 billion pieces. This expansion combined with export growth suggests that China's current overcapacity in the apparel industry is rapidly moving toward elimination. Production growth of certain products have taken a downward spiral, with January through October growth in shirt output dropping to 9 percent and children's apparel production declining to 4.5 percent.