Hong Kong's retail sales leapt 7.9% in value in May from a year earlier to HK$33.8 billion ($4.31 billion), the 13th straight month of gains, government data showed on Thursday.
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• In April, retail sales jumped by a revised 8.7% from a year earlier.
• In volume terms, May retail sales surged 4.8% from a year earlier, compared with a revised 6.5% increase in April.
• Total retail sales continued to increase solidly in May and sales of most broad types of retail outlets registered growth.
• For the first five months of 2026, the total retail sales value increased by 10.6% from a year earlier, while retail sales volume surged 8.2%.
• "Looking ahead, the ongoing economic expansion and sustained growth in local labour earnings, together with continued increase in inbound visitors, should benefit the retail businesses," a government spokesperson said.
• Visitor arrivals in May surged 9.5% y/y to 4.46 million, data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed. The number of mainland Chinese visitors rose 11.6% y/y to 3.49 million.
• Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts jumped 25.8% y/y in May after a revised growth of 20.5% in April.
• Sales of motor vehicles and parts increased 1.7% y/y in May following a revised 46% surge in April.
• Sales of clothing, footwear and allied products increased 3.2% y/y in May after a revised 4.4% gain in April.
($1 = 7.8437 Hong Kong dollars)