Hong Kong’s retail sales jumped by nearly 12 per cent in the first two months of 2026 against a year ago, with authorities pointing to growth in the local economy and a surge in tourists.
Provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday showed retail sales reached HK$35 billion (US$4.47 billion) in February, driven by the Chinese New Year holidays and major events in the city.
In February, growth was 19.3 per cent year on year, while retail sales in January jumped by 5.5 per cent.
To make a meaningful comparison, the department combined the retail sales figures in January and February for 11.8 per cent growth year on year.
It said that since Chinese New Year fell on February 17 this year but on January 29 last year, it was more appropriate to analyse the retail sales figures for January and February taken together in making a year-on-year comparison.
A government spokesman said retail sales “strengthened further” and “increased visibly” in early 2026, while sales of most broad types of retailers also saw growth.
