The value of total retail sales in April, provisionally estimated at $28.9 billion, was down 2.3% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.3% lower year-on-year.

Of the total retail sales figure for the month, online sales accounted for 8.1%. Provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, the value of online retail sales decreased 3.5% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased 2.4% compared with a year earlier.

There were also declines in the value of sales in the following categories: jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-1.7%); apparel (-5.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-53.4%); fuels (-12.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.1%); furniture and fixtures (-16.7%); and optical items (-0.2%).

By contrast, the value of sales of “other consumer goods not elsewhere classified” increased by 13.4% for the period. Also up were sales of medicines and cosmetics (+7.2%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+3%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+1.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.1%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+11.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+3.8%).

The Government said its proactive promotion of tourism and mega events, increased employment earnings and sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy will support the retail sector.

However, it cautioned that ongoing changes in consumption patterns and competition among businesses, amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment, will continue to pose challenges for the sector.