The value of total retail sales in Hong Kong in December 2009, provisionally estimated at HKD29.4 billion (USD3.8 billion), increased by 16 percent over a year earlier, according to a monthly survey of retail sales released by the government. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales increased by 11.3 percent in December 2009 when compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing December 2009 with December 2008, the volume of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased the most, by 30.4 percent. This was followed by sales of motor vehicles and parts (+29.8 percent in volume); electrical goods and photographic equipment (+23.0 percent); wearing apparel (+9.6 percent); commodities in department stores (+9.3 percent); miscellaneous consumer goods (+8.4 percent); miscellaneous consumer durable goods (+4.7 percent); furniture and fixtures (+4.0 percent); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+3.6 percent); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+2.1 percent); and fuels (+1.1 percent).
On the other hand, the volume of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 3.8 percent in December 2009 when compared with a year earlier.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the volume of total retail sales increased by 8.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 when compared with the preceding quarter.
For 2009 as a whole, total retail sales increased by 0.6 percent in value but decreased by 0.8 percent in volume when compared with 2008.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing the whole year of 2009 with 2008, the volume of sales of electrical goods and photographic equipment increased the most, by 7 percent. This was followed by sales of fuels (+5.5 percent in volume); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+2.5 percent); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+0.7 percent); and miscellaneous consumer durable goods (+0.5 percent).
On the other hand, the volume of sales of motor vehicles and parts in 2009 decreased the most, by 17.1 percent when compared with a year earlier. This was followed by sales of wearing apparel (-5.0 percent in volume); furniture and fixtures (-3.9 percent); miscellaneous consumer goods (-1.9 percent); and commodities in supermarkets (-1.4 percent).
To view tables of these statistics, visit the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government.
(Source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong)