HK retail sales jump 19.3% in February as online shopping rises

Hong Kong's retail sales surged 19.3% year-on-year in February, reaching HK$35 billion. This marks the 10th consecutive month of growth according to the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong (C&SD).

Retail sales grew 5.5% in January 2026 compared with the same month last year. Across the first two months of 2026, total retail sales are provisionally estimated to have risen 11.8% compared with January–February 2025. 

In a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, C&SD said that retail sales often fluctuate in early-year months due to the shifting timing of the Chinese New Year. Since Chinese New Year fell on 17 February this year versus 29 January last year, comparing January–February combined sales provides a more accurate year-on-year view.

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Online sales accounted for 8.5% of total retail sales in February 2026. The value of online retail sales, provisionally estimated at HK$3 billion, rose 29% compared with February 2025.

After adjusting for price changes, the provisional estimate of total retail sales volume in February 2026 rose 17.5% compared with February 2025. For January and February combined, total retail sales volume is estimated to have increased 9.8% year on year.

Furthermore, looking at broad types of retail outlets, the value of sales for “other consumer goods not elsewhere classified” rose 13.1% in January–February 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, based on provisional estimates.

This was followed by sales of jewellery and valuable gifts (+27.8%); supermarket commodities (+3.3%); wearing apparel (+6.2%); food, alcohol and tobacco (+2.6%); medicines and cosmetics (+8.3%); electrical goods and other durables (+32.4%); department store commodities (+5.8%); motor vehicles and parts (+28.5%); footwear and accessories (+9.6%); books and stationery (+3%); furniture (+13%); and optical shops (+9.2%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of fuels decreased by 14.2% in the first two months of 2026 over the same period a year earlier. This was followed by sales of Chinese drugs and herbs (-0.8% in value).

Based on seasonally adjusted figures, total retail sales value rose 2.4% in the three months ending February 2026 compared with the previous three-month period, while retail sales volume increased 1.6%.

A government spokesman said retail sales strengthened further in early 2026, with total sales value rising 11.8% year-on-year when combining January and February to adjust for the shifting Chinese New Year, while most retail outlet types also saw growth.

Looking ahead, the resilient growth momentum in the local economy and the vibrant increase in inbound visitors are expected to support retail businesses. Meanwhile, the government will continue to closely monitor developments in geopolitical tensions and assess its potential implications for consumer spending in the local market.

Hong Kong's retail sector is seeing a steady recovery, as retail sales increased 5.5% YoY to HK$37.3 billion in January. Of the total retail sales value in January 2026, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at HK$3 billion, increased by 25.1% compared with the same month in 2025.

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