Hong Kong July retail sales rise 4.5%, supported by economic expansion, tourism

Hong Kong’s retail sales jumped 4.5% in value in July ⁠from a year earlier to HK$31 billion ($3.96 billion), the 15th month of gains, government data showed on Monday.

In June, Hong Kong’s retail sales rose by 4.6% on the year. In ⁠volume terms, July ‌retail sales surged 2.3% ⁠from a year earlier, compared with a 2.3% rise in June.

Stronger online retail sales growth suggests that ​consumer spending continued ​to shift toward digital channels. For the first seven months of 2026, the total retail sales value increased by 8.9% from a year earlier, ‌while retail ​sales volume rose 6.6%.

“Continued economic expansion, rising household incomes, and stable labour ‌market conditions should bolster consumer sentiment,” ⁠a government spokesperson said, adding upcoming events are expected ‌to sustain growth in visitor arrivals, providing further support to retail businesses.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board lists a fashion festival, several exhibitions, and a cyclothon as upcoming events. However, external headwinds are ​still evolving and the government will monitor the impact on local consumption.

Visitor arrivals in July rose by 2.6% year on year to 4.5 million, data from ​the Hong ‌Kong ​Tourism Board showed. The number of mainland Chinese visitors ‌increased ‌by 2.8% year on year to 3.61 million.

Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks, and valuable gifts jumped by 19.7% year on year in July after growth of 20.1% ⁠in June. Sales of motor vehicles and parts decreased by 18.2% year on year in July following a 4.3% drop in ‌June. Sales of clothing, footwear, ​and allied products decreased by 1.6% year on year in July after a 0.5% gain in June.