Hong Kong retail sales rise 5.9% in September as fashion sector weakens

Hong Kong’s retail sector recorded its fifth consecutive month of growth in September, with sales rising 5.9% year-on-year to HK$31.3 billion ($4.03 billion), according to government data released Friday. The gains were driven by stronger tourism and local consumption, though fashion-related categories saw a downturn.

In volume terms, retail sales rose 4.8% from the same period a year earlier, following a revised 3.4% increase in August. For the first nine months of 2025, however, the value of total retail sales fell 1% compared with the same period in 2024, while volume decreased by 2.3%.

A government spokesperson said improved consumer sentiment and sustained inbound tourism were expected to continue supporting retail activity in the coming months.

Visitor arrivals surged 8% year-on-year in September to 3.29 million, including 2.46 million arrivals from mainland China, up 7% from the previous year, according to data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

While luxury categories performed well, fashion retail weakened. Sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose 9.1% year-on-year in September after a revised 16.4% increase in August. However, sales of clothing, footwear and allied products fell 10.2%, reversing a 2.8% gain in August.

The latest figures reflect a mixed retail recovery, where robust tourism and high-end spending are offset by slower growth in everyday apparel and mass-market fashion sales.

($1 = 7.7675 Hong Kong dollars)