Retail Sales Surge 6.6% in December 2025, Driven by Online Shopping Growth

Provisional statistics of retail sales for December 2025 and Whole Year of 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (February 3).

The value of total retail sales in December 2025, provisionally estimated at $35.0 billion, increased by 6.6% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in November 2025 increased by 6.5% compared with a year earlier.

Of the total retail sales value in December 2025, online sales accounted for 8.8%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $3.1 billion, increased by 30.9% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online retail sales in November 2025 increased by 28.4% compared with a year earlier.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in December 2025 increased by 5.1% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in November 2025 increased by 4.4% compared with a year earlier.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing December 2025 with December 2024, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 14.3%. This was followed by sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+7.5% in value); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+58.9%); commodities in supermarkets (+0.3%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+0.5%); medicines and cosmetics (+0.6%); motor vehicles and parts (+8.9%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+6.7%); and optical shops (+5.2%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of wearing apparel decreased by 10.3% in December 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-4.6% in value); fuels (-12.8%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-10.0%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-2.1%); and furniture and fixtures (-7.9%).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.4%.

For 2025 as a whole, the value of total retail sales was provisionally estimated at $380.5 billion, increased by 1.0% in value and remained at a similar level in volume compared with 2024. The value of online retail sales was provisionally estimated at $35.7 billion, increased by 12.8% over 2024.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing the whole year of 2025 with the whole year of 2024, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 6.2%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+1.9% in value); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+14.3%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+1.6%); medicines and cosmetics (+4.2%); and optical shops (+0.2%).

On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 0.6% in 2025 compared with 2024. This was followed by sales of wearing apparel (-3.4% in value); commodities in department stores (-0.1%); motor vehicles and parts (-24.9%); fuels (-9.7%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (decrease of less than 0.05%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-6.5%); furniture and fixtures (-13.9%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-1.4%).

Commentary

A government spokesman said that the value of retail sales continued to recover solidly in December, rising further by 6.6% over a year earlier. For 2025 as a whole, total retail sales value resumed modest growth.

Looking ahead, improving local consumption sentiment underpinned by robust economic growth momentum, together with continued vibrant growth in inbound visitors, will continue to be favourable to retail businesses.

Further information

Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2025 as well as the provisional figures for December 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2025 are also shown.

Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for November 2025 as well as the provisional figures for December 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2025 are also shown.

Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for November 2025 as well as the provisional figures for December 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the whole year of 2025 are also shown.

Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

The classification of retail companies follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail companies and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail companies through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail companies with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication "Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component" for more details.

More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images

CFS urges public not to consume batch of powdered infant formula

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department continues to actively follow up on the precautionary recall of certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula in different areas worldwide due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. The CFS today (February 3) said it earlier noted through its Food Incident Surveillance System that certain batches of Aptamil powdered infant and young children formula are being recalled by the German authority as the products might contain Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus. The CFS has been very concerned about the incident, and has followed up immediately, including contacting the local importers, retailers and relevant authorities, as well as inspecting retail outlets in the market. The CFS has earlier published a food incident post online to inform the public and the trade of the incident. According to the latest investigation result today, a local retailer had sold a small quantity of one affected batch of the powdered infant formula concerned. For the sake of prudence, the retailer concerned has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected product and has initiated a precautionary recall according to the CFS's instructions.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Aptamil Profutura DUO Pre D 800g

Brand: Aptamil

Pack size: 800 grams

Place of origin: Germany

Quantity imported: 54 cans

Use-by date: April 20, 2027

Retailer: Baby HK

A preliminary investigation by the CFS revealed that relevant importer had imported nine boxes of 54 cans of the product concerned, among which 34 cans had been distributed. The CFS has instructed the retailer concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product concerned and to initiate a recall. Moreover, the CFS has marked and sealed 20 cans of remaining stock of the product. Members of the public may call the retailer's hotline at 3586 1399 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

The CFS will continue to enhance surveillance of powdered infant and young children formula and to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety. The CFS has alerted the trade and relevant department over the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Follow-up investigation is ongoing.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

The CFS urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batch of the product, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the product concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

The CFS has established a designated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/powdered_formula/index.html) to facilitate public access to more information.

Source: AI-found images