CHINA'S retail industry took the major portion of increased investments by venture capital and private equity firms in March despite a flat initial public offering market, according to the Zero2IPO Research Center.

There were 29 investment deals sealed last month, up 52.6 percent from February, the Beijing-based information provider said. Twenty-five of the deals were worth US$605 million.

The retail industry lured the most investment of US$140 million, followed by the food and beverage sector with US$123 million invested and the energy and mineral industry attracting US$76.4 million.

Last month also saw five investments withdrawn, including three via mergers and acquisitions, one via buyback and one through a stock transfer, as the China Securities Regulatory Commission halted approval for IPOs.