Hong Kong August retail sales rise by 3.8%, fourth month of growth

Hong Kong’s retail sales by value rose by 3.8% in August from a year earlier, the fourth consecutive month of gains, government data showed on Thursday.

Sales increased to HK$30.3 billion ($3.89 billion). In July, retail sales rose 1.8% compared with the same month a year before.

In volume terms, August retail sales increased by 3.2% from a year earlier, compared with a revised 0.9% rise in July.

For the first eight months of 2025, the value of total retail sales declined by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024, and volume fell 3.1%.

Stabilising local consumer sentiment, coupled with sustained growth in inbound visitors and the government’s proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events, should render support to retail businesses, a government spokesman said.

Visitor arrivals in August surged to 5.15 million, up 15.7% from the same month a year earlier, according to Hong Kong Tourism Board data.

Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for 4.22 million of these arrivals, a 15.4% increase year-on-year. That compared with 3.51 million in July, 2.61 million in June and 3.12 million in May.

Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts jumped 16.4% year-on-year in August after a revised 8.9% rise in July.

Sales of clothing, footwear and allied products increased 2.8% year-on-year in August following a 0.1% rise in July.