FX.co ★ Hong Kong Retail Sales at 14th Month Decline

Retail sales in Hong Kong experienced a 3.3% decline in April 2025 compared to the previous year, following a revised 4.7% drop in March. This represents the fourteenth consecutive month of retail declines, though April's decrease was the mildest in this period. The reduction was primarily due to decreased sales in consumer goods, which fell by 21.6% following a 17.9% decline in March. Additionally, sales of motor vehicles and parts plummeted by 52.6%, a stark contrast to the 47.6% drop seen previously, and fuels recorded a decrease of 9.9%, compared to 2% earlier. Despite these challenges, the rate of decline slowed for furniture and fixtures, which fell by 14.3%, compared to 15.3% in the prior month. Similarly, sales of breads, pastries, confectionaries, and biscuits dropped by 13.5%, down from 14.6%, and clothing, footwear, and related products saw a reduction of 2.9%, better than the previous 9.7% fall. Conversely, sales for other consumer goods rose by 7.3% compared to a prior 2% decrease, and sales of medicines and cosmetics increased by 5.3% after a previous 0.8% drop. A government spokesperson mentioned that proactive tourism and events are expected to aid the retail sector’s recovery, yet ongoing shifts in consumer habits and market competition remain substantial obstacles.