On the shelves of the country's shops is the usual classification of toys, clothing, appliances and cookware. But over the past month the quality of many of the goods on offer has improved. In part this is because scandals over toxic paint have brought closer scrutiny from inspectors and hence less corner-cutting. But it is also partly because of falling demand for its goods from other countries, which has given its manufacturers and local government a big incentive to work around the country's exportpromotion policies and to sell at home. Its manufacturers are well aware that they operate in one of the few large markets that is still showing a pulse. Retail sales in October were up by 22% compared with the same month in 2007 -- a slight drop from 23.2% in September, but an impressive figure nonetheless. That certainly exaggerates the country's economic vigor, but it would be a stretch to believe that the country is in recession. As domestic consumption increases, its export-oriented manufacturers are under siege (围攻). Figures announced on December 10th showed that exports fell by a startling 2.2% in November, compared with a year earlier. Analysts had expected an increase of around 15% it was the first fall in exports for seven years. The news followed a government survey, released on December 1st, that showed a sharp decline in the fortunes of export manufacturers, confirming lots of anecdotal evidence. Diverting goods intended for export to the domestic market makes sense for factory owners, who want their firms to survive, and for local officials, who wish to maintain order. As a result of pressure from its trading partners, these tax rebates (折扣) on exports had been contracting. But in November a new stimulus plan was announced that increased the rebates on more than 3,000 items. Evidently its officials hope the country can once again export its way to higher growth, despite the financial troubles in its main markets. One solution is to route goods to the domestic market via a port city, so that they qualify as exports, but this takes time and money and strikes many operators as a huge waste of both. The sudden appearance of higher-quality goods suggests that officials are being less eager than usual in enforcing the export rules. Its consumers, for their part, must surely be pleased that they can buy better products at low prices. A year ago, the boom(繁荣) was expected to be the means of breaking down the divide between its domestic and export-led economies. But perhaps a bust is what was required. What has happened to the shelves of the country's shop over the past month?