HONG KONG, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's August retail sales value jumped 5.6% from a year earlier to HK$32.1 billion ($4.09 billion) for a 16th month of gains, government data showed on Friday.
• In July, retail sales value rose 4.5% on the year
• Growth was seen across many types of retail outlets, while online retail sales value grew notably, reflecting a continued shift in consumer spending towards digital channels
• For the first eight months of 2026, the total retail sales value increased by 8.5% from a year earlier
• "Looking ahead, sustained economic expansion and rising labour earnings should support local consumption sentiment and spending," a government spokesperson said, with growth in visitor arrivals to further inject vibrancy into the sector
• Visitor arrivals in August rose 5.9% y/y to 5.46 million, data, opens new tab from the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed. The number of mainland Chinese visitors increased 8.2% y/y to 4.57 million
• Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose 11.9% y/y in August after a revised 19.9% growth in July
• Sales of motor vehicles and parts decreased 22% y/y in August following a revised 18.3% drop in July
• Sales of clothing, footwear and allied products slipped 0.3% in August after a 1.6% fall in July
($1 = 7.8465 Hong Kong dollars)
Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom Editing by David Goodman and Alison Williams
Source: Reuters