The value of total retail sales in July increased by 4.5 percent to HK$31 billion from the same month last year, the lowest this year so far, according to latest figures from the Census and Statistics Department, falling short of the market's expected 6.2 percent and marking the 15th consecutive month of expansion.
Volume of total retail sales in July increased by 2.3 percent from last year.
Of the total retail sales value in July 2026, online sales accounted for 9.1 percent at HK$2.8 billion, up 9.5 percent from the same period last year.
The value of online retail sales or the first seven months together increased by 24.9 percent compared with the same period in 2025; whereas that of total retail sales volume rose 6.6 percent.
Retail sales growth momentum remained resilient in July, according to a spokesperson for the government. Looking ahead, the government believes that continued economic expansion, rising household incomes, and stable labor market conditions should bolster consumer sentiment.
Annie Yau Tse On-yee, chairman of Hong Kong Retail Management Association, attributed the low figure to the severe weather in July, with 25 days of rain and rainstorms deterring tourists. In addition, Hong Kong residents traveled abroad in July, causing retail sales to miss market expectations, , with half of the retail categories recording declines.
Yau added that the hot weather in August increases foot traffic in shopping malls, boosting sales of electrical appliances, supermarkets, and convenience stores; yet the overall market will remain under pressure as spending power remains weak.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the value of sales, the value of sales of jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 19.7 percent, followed by sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+10.5 percent in value); commodities in supermarkets (+0.3 percent); medicines and cosmetics (+7.3 percent); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+11.5 percent); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+1.7 percent); commodities in department stores (+0.5 percent); and optical shops (+1.8 percent).
On the other hand, the value of sales of wearing apparel decreased by 1.8 percent in July over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-2.8 percent in value); motor vehicles and parts (-18.2 percent); fuels (-18.0 percent); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-0.3 percent); furniture and fixtures (-2.4 percent); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-13.7 percent).
