Hong Kong’s total retail sales value increased by 5.6% year-on-year in August

China News Service, Hong Kong, October 2 (Reporter Liu Yueqing) The Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government announced on the 2nd that the provisional estimate of the total sales value of Hong Kong's retail industry in August this year was 32.1 billion yuan (Hong Kong dollars, the same below), a year-on-year increase of 5.6%, maintaining a year-on-year increase for 16 consecutive months.

After deducting price changes during the period, the total retail sales volume in Hong Kong in August 2026 is provisionally estimated to increase by 2.9% year-on-year; the total retail sales volume in the first eight months of this year is provisionally estimated to increase by 6.1% year-on-year.

Data show that the value of online sales in Hong Kong's retail industry in August was provisionally estimated at NT$2.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.9%, accounting for 8.7% of the total sales value.

By category, in August the sales value of electrical appliances and other unclassified durable consumer goods increased by 29.1% year-on-year, jewelry, watches and luxury gifts increased by 11.9% year-on-year, books, newspapers, stationery and gifts increased by 11.2% year-on-year, bread, cakes, candies and biscuits increased by 8.4% year-on-year, and drugs and cosmetics increased by 5.6% year-on-year. On the other hand, the sales value of clothing, automobiles and automobile parts, fuels, and traditional Chinese medicines declined year-on-year.

Shao Jiahui, a member of the wholesale and retail sector of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, analyzed in an interview with a reporter from China News Service that the SAR government continues to work hard to build Hong Kong into a "city of events", holding many large-scale events and activities, creating a good urban atmosphere, attracting visitors from all over the world to Hong Kong, stimulating demand for Hong Kong's retail industry, and sales continue to rise. He suggested that the Hong Kong retail industry should build more of its own brands, develop specialty products and cultural and creative products, combine online and offline sales, and jump on the e-commerce express to sell products around the world.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR Government said that as consumer spending continues to shift to digital channels, the value of online retail sales in Hong Kong has grown significantly. Looking ahead, Hong Kong's economy continues to improve and residents' employment incomes rise, which should help support local consumer confidence and spending. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong continues to grow, and many major events will be held, which should further inject momentum into Hong Kong's retail industry.