The total value of retail sales in March, provisionally estimated at $33.9 billion, was up 12.8% compared with the same month a year earlier, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales represents a 9.8% year-on-year increase.

Online sales accounted for 9.7% of the total retail sales value in March. Provisionally estimated at $3.3 billion, the value of this segment rose 35.1% from the same month a year earlier.

The value of sales of consumer goods “not elsewhere classified” increased 18.1% in March 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

There were also increases in the following categories: jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (up 27.2%); commodities in supermarkets (up 0.6%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (up 30.1%); medicines and cosmetics (up 3.1%); clothing (up 8.3%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (up 1%); commodities in department stores (up 1.3%); motor vehicles and parts (up 80.8%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (up 3%); furniture and fixtures (up 0.6%); and optical items (up 7.4%).

Meanwhile, the value of sales of fuels was down 14.2% in March compared with the same month in the previous year. This was followed by sales of Chinese drugs and herbs (down 5.4%); and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories also fell (down 10.2%).

The Government highlighted that retail sales continued to strengthen in March. In particular, motor vehicle sales showed strong growth as purchases spiked ahead of the expiry of the first registration tax concessions for electric private cars at the end of the month.

Looking ahead, it said that the near-term outlook for retail sales remains broadly positive. This is supported by recovering local demand, sustained growth in inbound tourism and a favourable macro-financial environment.

The Government will continue to track downside risks from geopolitical tensions to assess any implications for consumer spending.