Statistics

HK retail sales up 27.7% in April

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-01 11:15

HONG KONG - According to Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department figures released on Tuesday, the value of Hong Kong's total retail sales in April was provisionally estimated at HK$32 billion ($4.76 billion), 27.7 percent higher than a year earlier.

It shows that after netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales rose 21.9 percent in April compared with a year earlier.

The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in March this year was HK$31.2 billion, 26.2 percent higher than March last year. The volume of total retail sales was up 20.2 percent.

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Taking this year's first four months together, total retail sales went up 22.6 percent in value or 17.7 percent in volume over the same period a year earlier.

The sales of miscellaneous consumer durable goods increased the most, by 151.9 percent.

In addition, the volume of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco decreased by 8.1 percent in April 2011 when compared with a year earlier.

The government said retail sales remained buoyant in April, reflecting the strong local consumption demand and vibrant tourist spending.

A government spokesman notes that local consumer sentiment should still be well supported by the improved job and income conditions. Together with the prevailing strength of inbound tourism, the government said this will continue to be conducive to overall retail business performance in the coming months.