Hong Kong's retail sales rise 5.9pc in September

Hong Kong's retail sales value surged 5.9 percent year-on-year in September, indicating improved consumer sentiment, according to the latest government data.

The Census and Statistics Department announced the provisional estimate of total retail sales value for September was HK$31.3 billion.

After removing the effects of price changes, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales volume in September increased by 4.8 percent year-on-year. For the first nine months of the year combined, the provisional estimate of total retail sales volume fell by 2.3 percent.

Online sales accounted for 12.5 percent of the total retail sales value in September, with the provisional estimate for related sales value being HK$3.9 billion, a significant increase of 27.3 percent year-on-year.

By broad category, sales of electrical goods and other undurable consumer goods recorded the largest increase of 31.3 percent in value, with those of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts up 9.1 percent.

Notably, commodities in department stores saw sales rise 2.8 percent and supermarket goods climbed 2.0 percent.

A government spokesman said retail sales continued to recover in September. The year-on-year growth rate of total retail sales value further accelerated to 5.9 percent. Most major retail categories experienced sales increases to varying degrees.

Looking ahead, the spokesman noted that the gradual improvement in local consumer sentiment, coupled with the ongoing growth in inbound tourism, should continue to support the retail sector.