2nd October 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Census and Statistics Department reported that total retail sales in August 2026 were provisionally valued at HK$32.1 billion, representing a 5.6 per cent increase from August 2025. The revised estimate for July showed a 4.5 per cent annual rise. Taking the first eight months of 2026 together, the provisional value of total retail sales was up 8.5 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Online transactions continued to expand. In August, internet sales were provisionally estimated at HK$2.8 billion, up 9.9 per cent year on year and making up 8.7 per cent of total retail sales. The revised figure for July indicated a 9.6 per cent increase from a year earlier. For January to August 2026 combined, online sales value rose by a provisional 23.0 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
After adjusting for price changes, the volume of total retail sales in August increased provisionally by 2.9 per cent year on year, following a revised 2.4 per cent rise in July. On a year‑to‑date basis, the provisional volume of total retail sales for the first eight months grew by 6.1 per cent from the corresponding period in 2025.
By major outlet category and comparing August 2026 with August 2025, sales value increased for jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts by 11.9 per cent; other consumer goods not elsewhere classified by 9.6 per cent; commodities in supermarkets by 2.1 per cent; electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified by 29.1 per cent; medicines and cosmetics by 5.6 per cent; food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco by 1.9 per cent; books, newspapers, stationery and gifts by 11.2 per cent; footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories by 0.6 per cent; furniture and fixtures by 3.0 per cent; and optical shops by 5.9 per cent. Declines were recorded for wearing apparel, down 0.5 per cent; commodities in department stores, down 2.6 per cent; motor vehicles and parts, down 22.0 per cent; fuels, down 11.7 per cent; and Chinese drugs and herbs, down 6.0 per cent.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the provisional value of total retail sales decreased by 4.6 per cent in the three months ending August 2026 compared with the preceding three‑month period, while the corresponding sales volume fell by 3.4 per cent.
A Government spokesman noted that August marked the sixteenth consecutive month of year‑on‑year growth in retail sales value, with gains spanning many categories and robust advances in online spending underscoring a continued shift towards digital channels. Looking ahead, officials said sustained economic growth and rising labour earnings should support sentiment and spending, while an expected increase in visitor arrivals and a calendar of mega‑events would add momentum. The Government will continue to monitor evolving external headwinds and their potential effects on local consumption.