HK retail sales rebound after 14-month slump

Hong Kong’s retail sales in May saw improvement with the total sales value reaching HK$31.3 billion, ending a 14-month decline.

According to statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the value of total retail sales in May 2025, provisionally estimated at HK$31.3 billion, increased by 2.4% compared with the same month in 2024. 

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in May 2025 increased by 1.9% compared with a year earlier. 

Of the total retail sales value in May 2025, online sales accounted for 8.3%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at HK$2.6 billion, increased by 0.3% compared with the same month in 2024. For the first five months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 1.7% compared with the same period in 2024.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing May 2025 with May 2024, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 8.9%.

This was followed by sales of commodities in supermarkets (+1.3% in value); wearing apparel (+0.4%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+2.8%); commodities in department stores (+6.3%); medicines and cosmetics (+8.7%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+0.9%); motor vehicles and parts (+2.7%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+1.6%); and optical shops (+1.4%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 3.2% in May 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of fuels (-6.9% in value); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-0.1%); furniture and fixtures (-12.0%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-2.2%).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 4.1% in the three months ending May 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 7.0%.

Looking ahead, the government spokesman said that while the retail sector continues to adapt to the changes in consumption patterns, the government's proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events, in tandem with the increase in employment earnings and sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy, will help bolster consumption sentiment and support the consumption market.

Don't miss: HK retail sales drop 2.3% YOY in April

The city's retail sector has been in a prolonged slump over the past year, with its retail sales seeing a 2.3% YoY decrease in April compared to a year ago. According to government statistics, 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. 

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