HK retail sales up 5.5% YOY in January

Hong Kong's retail sales has grown by 5.5% year-on-year (YOY) in January 2026, reaching HK$37.3 billion and marking the ninth consecutive month of increases.

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 December 2025 increased by 6.6% compared with a year earlier.

Of the total retail sales value in January 2026, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at HK$3 billion, increased by 25.1% compared with the same month in 2025.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in January 2026 increased by 3.4% compared with a year earlier. The C&SD said retail sales are often more volatile in the first two months of the year due to the timing of Chinese New Year, which typically sees a seasonal peak in local consumer spending. This year, the festival fell on 17 February, while last year it was on 29 January, which may have influenced the year-on-year comparison of figures for January 2026 and a year earlier.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing January 2026 with January 2025, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 3.5% due to the difference in the timing of the Chinese New Year, according to C&SD.

This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+31.1% in value); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+38.7%); wearing apparel (+5.7%); medicines and cosmetics (+1.3%); motor vehicles and parts (+18.5%); furniture and fixtures (+16.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.6%); and optical shops (+8.5%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 5% in January 2026 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-10.5% in value); commodities in department stores (-11.1%); fuels (-17.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-19.9%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-8.1%).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 2.4% in the three months ending January 2026 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 3.1%.

Don’t miss: HK retail sales rise 6.6% YOY in December 2025

A government spokesman said that the value of total retail sales continued to grow solidly by 5.5% in January over a year earlier. The recovery momentum of the retail sector sustained, notwithstanding that the year-on-year comparison in January this year was weighed against a higher base due to the early arrival of Chinese New Year last year. On a seasonally adjusted comparison, the value of total retail sales increased visibly in January over the preceding month.

Looking ahead, the robust economic growth momentum and the sustained growth in inbound visitors will continue to underpin local consumption, thereby benefiting retail businesses.

Mark your calendars for 24 June! #Content360 Hong Kong returns with a dynamic, one-day event dedicated to pivotal trends—from the silver economies to breakthrough IP collaborations, sports, and beyond. Let's dive into the art of curating content with creativity, critical thinking and confidence!

Related articles:

HK retail sales rise 6.6% YOY in December 2025
HK retail sales up 6.9% YOY in October
HK retail sales up 5.9% YOY in September