HK retail sales drop 2.3% YOY in April

Hong Kong's retail sales have dropped for 14 months in a row, with a 2.3% YOY decrease in April compared to a year ago.  

According to the latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, the value of total retail sales in April was provisionally estimated at HK$28.9 billion. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 3.5% compared with a year earlier.  

The revised estimate of online retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 0.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first four months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 2.2% compared with the same period in 2024.

Of the total retail sales value in April 2025, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, decreased by 3.5% compared with the same month in 2024.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing April 2025 with the previous year, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 2.4%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-1.7% in value); wearing apparel (-5.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-53.4%); fuels (-12.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.1%); furniture and fixtures (-16.7%); and optical shops (-0.2%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 13.4% in April 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of medicines and cosmetics (+7.2% in value).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 4.2% in the three months ending April 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 7.1%.

A government spokesman said that retail sales performance showed signs of stabilisation in recent months. "The value of total retail sales recorded a modest year-on-year decline of 2.3% in April 2025. The decline narrowed further in April compared with the previous months despite the effect of the late arrival of the Easter holidays this year when more residents made outbound trips during the month," the spokesman added. 

Looking ahead, the spokesman said that the government's promotion of tourism and mega events will help stimulate the consumption market. Increase in employment earnings and sustained steady growth of the mainland economy will also bolster consumption sentiment. "These factors will be supportive to the retail sector, though ongoing changes in consumption patterns and competition among businesses amid the uncertain macroeconomic environment will still pose challenges," the spokesman added. 

Don't miss: HK retail sales plummet 13% YOY in February

Back in February, Hong Kong's retail sales dropped 13% YOY compared to a year ago. According to the latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, the value of total retail sales in February was provisionally estimated at HK$29.4 billion. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in January 2025 decreased by 3.1% compared with a year earlier.   

Of the total retail sales value in February, online sales accounted for 7.8%, with its value provisionally estimated at HK$2.3 billion, decreased by 7.3% compared with the same month in 2024.  

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