In May, the total sales value of the retail industry in Hong Kong was temporarily estimated at HK$313 billion, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year.

On July 2nd, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong government released the latest retail sales figures. The data shows that the provisional estimate of total sales value of the retail sector in Hong Kong in May 2025 was HK$313 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of total sales value of the retail sector in April 2025 decreased by 2.3% compared to the same month in 2024. The provisional estimate of total sales value of the retail sector for the first five months of 2025 decreased by 4.0% compared to the same period in 2024. In the total sales value of the retail sector in May 2025, online sales accounted for 8.3%. The provisional estimate of online sales value of the retail sector in that month was HK$26 billion, an increase of 0.3% compared to the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online sales value of the retail sector in April 2025 decreased by 3.7% compared to the same month in 2024. The provisional estimate of total online sales value for the first five months of 2025 decreased by 1.7% compared to the same period in 2024. After adjusting for price changes, the provisional estimate of the total sales quantity of the retail sector in May 2025 increased by 1.9% compared to the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of total sales quantity of the retail sector in April 2025 decreased by 3.3% compared to the same month in 2024. The provisional estimate of total sales quantity of the retail sector for the first five months of 2025 decreased by 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. When analyzed from highest to lowest based on the provisional estimate of sales value by major categories of retailers, in May 2025 compared to May 2024, the sales value of other uncategorized consumer goods increased by 8.9%. This was followed by supermarket goods (up 1.3%); clothing (up 0.4%); food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco (up 2.8%); department store goods (up 6.3%); drugs and cosmetics (up 8.7%); electrical appliances and other uncategorized durable goods (up 0.9%); cars and car parts (up 2.7%); books, stationery, and gifts (up 1.6%); and eyewear stores (up 1.4%). On the other hand, in May 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, the sales value of jewelry, watches, and luxury gifts decreased by 3.2%. This was followed by fuel (down 6.9%); footwear, related products, and other clothing accessories (down 0.1%); furniture and fixtures (down 12.0%); and Chinese medicine (down 2.2%). For the three months ending in May 2025, compared to the previous three months, the provisional estimate of seasonally adjusted total sales value of the retail sector increased by 4.1%, while the provisional estimate of seasonally adjusted total sales quantity of the retail sector increased by 7.0%. A government spokesperson in Hong Kong stated that the retail sector's performance improved in May 2025. The total sales value of the retail sector turned to a year-on-year increase of 2.4%. After seasonal adjustment, the total sales value of the retail sector increased by 7.0% on a month-on-month basis. Looking ahead, the spokesperson mentioned that the retail sector is continuing to adapt to changes in consumer patterns, and the government is actively promoting tourism and major events, coupled with rising local employment income and steady economic growth in the mainland, which will help boost consumer sentiment and support the retail market.