The preliminary estimate of the total retail sales value in Hong Kong for July is HKD 31 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.5%.

On August 31, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong SAR government released the latest figures on retail sales. The preliminary estimate of the total sales value of the retail sector in July 2026 was HK$31 billion, an increase of 4.5% compared to the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the total sales value of the retail sector in June 2026 rose by 4.6% compared to the same month in 2025. Comparing with the same period in 2025, the preliminary estimate for the total sales value of the retail sector for the first seven months of 2026 increased by 8.9%. In the total sales value of the retail sector for July 2026, online sales accounted for 9.1%. The preliminary estimate of the value of online retail sales for that month was HK$2.8 billion, up 9.5% compared to the same month in 2025. The revised estimate for online retail sales in June 2026 showed an increase of 11.7% compared to the same month in 2025. Compared to the same period in 2025, the preliminary estimate for the total value of online retail sales for the first seven months of 2026 rose by 24.9%. After excluding price changes, the preliminary estimate of the total sales volume of the retail sector in July 2026 increased by 2.3% compared to the same month in 2025. The revised estimate for the total sales volume in June 2026 showed an increase of 2.3% compared to the same month in 2025. Compared with the same period in 2025, the preliminary estimate for the total sales volume of the retail sector for the first seven months of 2026 increased by 6.6%. Analyzing the preliminary estimates of sales value by major categories of retailers from high to low, the sales value of jewelry, watches, and luxury gifts in July 2026 compared to July 2025 rose by 19.7%. This was followed by other uncategorized consumer goods (up 10.5%); supermarket items (up 0.3%); pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (up 7.3%); electrical appliances and other uncategorized durable goods (up 11.5%); food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco (up 1.7%); department store goods (up 0.5%); and optical shops (up 1.8%). On the other hand, comparing July 2026 with the same month in 2025, sales value for clothing decreased by 1.8%. This was followed by 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%). For the three-month period ending in July 2026, the seasonally adjusted preliminary estimate of the total sales value of the retail sector decreased by 1.7% compared to the previous three months, while the seasonally adjusted preliminary estimate of the total sales volume of the retail sector decreased by 0.1%. A government spokesperson indicated that the growth momentum in retail sales in July remained robust, recording an increase for the fifteenth consecutive month. The overall retail sales value grew steadily, rising 4.5% year-on-year; online retail sales grew rapidly, reflecting a continued shift in consumer spending towards digital channels. Looking ahead, the ongoing economic expansion, rising household incomes, and stable labor market conditions are expected to enhance consumer sentiment. A series of upcoming major events is also anticipated to continue driving visitor growth in Hong Kong, providing further support for the retail sector. However, external adverse factors are still evolving. The Hong Kong government will continue to closely monitor the potential impact of related developments on the local consumer market.