HK retail sales up 1.8% YOY in July 2025

Hong Kong's retail sales have risen 1.8% YoY to reach HK$30.1 billion in July, marking an increase for the third consecutive month, slightly faster than the increase in the preceding month.

According to the latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, the value of total retail sales in July was provisionally estimated at HK$29.7 billion. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in June 2025 increased by 0.7% compared with a year earlier.  

The revised estimate of online retail sales in June 2025 increased by 13.1% compared to the same month a year earlier. For the first seven months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 2.6% compared with the same period in 2024.

Of the total retail sales value in July 2025, online sales accounted for 8.7%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.6 billion, increased by 13.2% 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 July 2025 with July 2024, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets increased by 0.2%. This was followed by sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+9.8% in value); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+9.4%); wearing apparel (+1.3%); medicines and cosmetics (+2.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.6%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+20.5%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+19.6%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco decreased by 3.1% in July 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-8.2% in value).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 2.1% in the three months ending July 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 2%.

A government spokesman said that retail sales continued to stabilise in July. The value of total retail sales increased by 1.8% over the year, slightly faster than the increase in the preceding month.

Looking ahead, the spokesman said that local consumption sentiment should remain steady. The government's proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events will also benefit retail businesses.

Don't miss: HK retail sales growth in June falls short of expectations

Hong Kong's retail landscape has seen slow recovery, with the city's retail sales having risen 0.7% YoY to reach HK$30.1 billion in June. However, the growth rate slowed and fell short of market expectations.

The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in May 2025 increased by 2.4% compared with a year earlier. For the first half of 2025, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 3.3% compared with the same period in 2024.

Of the total retail sales value in June 2025, online sales accounted for 8.5%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at HK$2.5 billion, increased by 8.4% compared with the same month in 2024. 

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