Hong Kong October retail sales up 6.9% due to improved domestic sentiment and visitor growth

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong’s retail sales by value rose 6.9 per cent in October from a year earlier.

This is the sixth consecutive month of gains, as recovery in retail sales gathered strength and sales of most broad retail outlet types continued to grow, government data showed on Monday (Dec 1).

October’s sales increased to HK$35.2 billion (S$5.8 billion). In September, retail sales rose a revised 6 per cent year on year.

In terms of volume, October’s retail sales increased by 5.3 per cent from a year earlier, against a 4.8 per cent rise in September.

For the first 10 months of 2025, the value of total retail sales remained at a similar level when compared with a year earlier, while the volume fell by 1.5 per cent.

“Looking ahead, ongoing improvement in local consumer sentiment and sustained notable growth in visitor arrivals should continue to render support to retail businesses,” a government spokesperson said.

Visitor arrivals in October surged to 4.59 million, up 12.2 per cent from the same month a year earlier, based on Hong Kong Tourism Board data.

Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for 3.45 million of these arrivals, a 10 per cent increase from a year earlier.

The sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose 9.5 per cent year on year in October, after a revised 10.3 per cent increase in September.

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The sales of clothing, footwear and allied products rose 0.9 per cent year on year in October, following a revised 6.6 per cent drop in September. REUTERS