The total sales value of the retail industry in Hong Kong in May is temporarily estimated to be HK$33.8 billion, an increase of 7.9% compared to the same period last year.

On July 2nd, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government released the latest retail sales statistics. The provisional estimate of the total value of retail sales in May 2026 was HK$33.8 billion, an increase of 7.9% compared to the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the total value of retail sales in April 2026 showed an increase of 8.7% compared to the same month in 2025. Compared to the same period in 2025, the provisional estimate of the total value of retail sales for the first five months of 2026 increased by 10.6%. In the total value of retail sales in May 2026, online sales accounted for 10.1%. The provisional estimate of online retail sales in that month was HK$3.4 billion, an increase of 32.3% compared to May 2025. The revised estimate of online retail sales in April 2026 showed an increase of 33.1% compared to the same month in 2025. Compared to the same period in 2025, the provisional estimate of the total value of online retail sales for the first five months of 2026 increased by 31.2%. After adjusting for price changes, the provisional estimate of the total volume of retail sales in May 2026 increased by 4.8% compared to the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the total volume of retail sales in April 2026 showed an increase of 6.5% compared to the same month in 2025. Compared to the same period in 2025, the provisional estimate of the total volume of retail sales for the first five months of 2026 increased by 8.2%. Analyzing the provisional estimate of sales value by main categories of retailers in May 2026 compared to May 2025, the sales value of other uncategorized consumer goods increased by 14.8%. This was followed by jewelry, watches, and precious gifts (up 25.8%); supermarket goods (up 0.9%); clothing (up 3.0%); department store items (up 9.2%); drugs and cosmetics (up 3.5%); electrical appliances and other uncategorized durable goods (up 13.0%); automotive and auto parts (up 1.7%); shoes, related products, and other clothing accessories (up 4.7%); books, stationery, and gifts (up 4.5%); furniture and fixtures (up 4.6%); and eyewear (up 10.3%). On the other hand, comparing May 2026 to the same month in 2025, the sales value of food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco decreased by 0.3%. This was followed by fuels (down 12.2%); and Chinese medicine (down 9.5%). For the three months ending May 2026, compared to the previous three months, the provisional estimate of seasonally adjusted total retail sales value increased by 4.6%, while the provisional estimate of seasonally adjusted total retail sales volume increased by 2.2%. A government spokesperson stated that the total retail sales value in May continued to rise steadily by 7.9% year-on-year. Most categories of retail sales showed growth. Looking ahead, with the continued expansion of the economy and the ongoing increase in local labor income, along with the continuing increase in visitors to Hong Kong, the retail business should benefit. The government will closely monitor the evolving external uncertainties and their potential impact on the local consumer market.