HK retail sales rise 6.4% in September on solid local consumption

Hong Kong retail sales rose 6.4% to HK$33.4 billion in September, extending growth to 17 straight months on solid consumption and tourism.

According to the latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in August 2026 increased by 5.6% compared with a year earlier. 

For the first nine months of 2026 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 8.3% compared with a year earlier.

Of the total retail sales value in September 2026, online sales accounted for 13.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $4.4 billion, increased by 12.0% compared with the same month in 2025. 

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing September 2026 with September 2025, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified increased by 9.7%.

This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+20.3% in value); other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+11.5%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+5.3%); medicines and cosmetics (+9.0%); wearing apparel (+11.1%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+12.4%); furniture and fixtures (+9.0%); and optical shops (+14.6%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 1.0% in September 2026 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-4.1% in value); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-0.5%); fuels (-3.1%); motor vehicles and parts (-34.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-3.0%).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales decreased by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.2%.

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A government spokesman said that total retail sales value marks the 17th consecutive month of expansion. Growth in sales was broad-based across many types of retail outlet, reflecting solid local consumption sentiment in general. "A pick-up in visitor arrivals and sales of festive items associated with the earlier arrival of Mid-Autumn Festival this year also contributed to growth in overall sales in the month. Meanwhile, online retail sales value rose further visibly alongside consumers' growing use of digital channels."

Looking ahead, sustained solid economic expansion and growth in labour earnings will bolster local consumption. A series of upcoming mega-events and festive celebrations in various districts, together with continued growth in inbound tourism, will inject additional momentum to the retail sector. The government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the evolving external headwinds on the local consumption market closely.

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