Hong Kong: The total retail sales value in August is tentatively estimated at HK$32.1 billion, up 5.6% year-on-year

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 2, the Hong Kong Government Statistics Department published the latest retail sales figures. The provisional estimate of total retail sales value in Hong Kong for August 2026 was HK$32.1 billion, up 5.6% from the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for total retail sales value in July 2026 is 4.5% higher than in the same month of 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the total retail sales value for the first eight months of 2026 is estimated to have increased by 8.5%.

Online sales accounted for 8.7% of the total retail sales value in August 2026. The provisional estimated retail online sales value for the month was HK$2.8 billion, up 9.9% from the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for July 2026 is an increase of 9.6% in the retail sector's online sales value compared to the same month of 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the total retail online sales value for the first eight months of 2026 is estimated to have increased by 23.0%.

After deducting price changes during this period, the provisional estimate for total retail sales volume for August 2026 increased 2.9% compared to the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for total retail sales volume in July 2026 is 2.4% higher than in the same month of 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the total retail sales volume for the first eight months of 2026 is tentatively estimated to increase by 6.1%.

Provisional estimates of sales value by major retailer categories were analyzed from highest to lowest. Compared between August 2026 and August 2025, the sales value of jewellery, watches and luxury gifts increased by 11.9%. This was followed by other unclassified consumer goods (up 9.6% in sales value); supermarket goods (up 2.1%); electrical appliances and other unclassified durable consumer goods (up 29.1%); pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (up 5.6%); food, alcohol, beverages and tobacco (up 1.9%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (up 11.2%); footwear, related products and other clothing accessories (up 0.6%); furniture and fixtures (up 3.0%); and eyewear (up 5.9%).

On the other hand, compared with August 2026 and the same month of 2025, the sales value of clothing decreased by 0.5%. This was followed by department store products (sales value down 2.6%); automobiles and auto parts (down 22.0%); fuels (down 11.7%); and traditional Chinese medicine (down 6.0%).

In the three months ending August 2026, compared with the previous three months, the provisional estimated seasonally adjusted total retail sales value decreased by 4.6%, while the seasonally adjusted provisional estimate of total retail sales volume decreased by 3.4%.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said that the total sales value of the retail industry accelerated in August, rising 5.6% year-on-year, and recorded an expansion for the 16th month in a row. A number of retailer categories recorded growth, and the value of online retail sales increased significantly as consumer spending support continued to shift to digital channels.

Looking ahead, continued economic expansion and rising employment income should help support local consumer confidence and spending in Hong Kong. The number of visitors to Hong Kong continues to grow, and a series of upcoming events should further inject momentum into the retail industry.