Provisional estimates of the total sales value of Hong Kong's retail sector in July were HK$31 billion, up 4.5% year-on-year

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on August 31, the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government published the latest retail sales figures. The provisional estimate for total retail sales value in July 2026 was HK$31 billion, up 4.5% from the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for total retail sales value in June 2026 was 4.6% higher than in the same month of 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales value for the first seven months of 2026 increased by 8.9%.

Online sales accounted for 9.1% of the total retail sales value in July 2026. The provisional estimated retail online sales value for the month was HK$2.8 billion, up 9.5% from the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for June 2026 is an increase of 11.7% in the retail industry'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 seven months of 2026 is estimated to have increased by 24.9%.

After deducting price changes during this period, the provisional estimate for total retail sales volume in July 2026 was 2.3% higher than in the same month of 2025. The revised estimate for total retail sales volume in June 2026 was 2.3% higher than in the same month of 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the total retail sales volume for the first seven months of 2026 is tentatively estimated to increase by 6.6%.

Provisional estimates of sales value by major retailer categories were analyzed from highest to lowest. Compared between July 2026 and July 2025, the sales value of jewellery, watches and luxury gifts increased by 19.7%. This was followed by other unclassified consumer goods (up 10.5% in sales value); supermarket goods (up 0.3%); pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (up 7.3%); electrical appliances and other unclassified durable consumer goods (up 11.5%); food, alcohol and tobacco (up 1.7%); department store goods (up 0.5%); and eyewear (up 1.8%).

On the other hand, compared with July 2026 and the same month of 2025, the sales value of clothing decreased by 1.8%. This was followed by books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (sales value down 2.8%); automobiles and auto parts (down 18.2%); fuel (down 18.0%); footwear, related products and other clothing accessories (down 0.3%); furniture and fixtures (down 2.4%); and traditional Chinese medicine (down 13.7%).

In the three months to the end of July 2026, compared with the previous three months, the provisional estimated seasonally adjusted total retail sales value decreased by 1.7%, while the seasonally adjusted provisional estimate of total retail sales volume decreased by 0.1%.

A government spokesman said that retail sales growth momentum remained strong in July and recorded growth for the 15th consecutive month. Overall retail sales value growth remained stable, up 4.5% year on year; online retail sales grew rapidly, reflecting a continued shift in consumer spending support to digital channels.

Looking ahead, continued economic expansion, rising household incomes, and stable labor market conditions will help boost the consumer climate. A series of upcoming events are also expected to continue to drive the growth of visitors to Hong Kong and bring further support to the retail industry. However, external adverse factors are still evolving. The Hong Kong Government will continue to closely monitor the potential impact of relevant developments on the local consumer market.