May 6 - Hong Kong's retail sales by value rose 12.8% in March from a year earlier, the 11th month of gains, with growth in sales of most broad types of retail outlets, government data showed on Wednesday.
o Sales increased to HK$33.9 billion ($4.33 billion). In February, retail sales rose 19.3% year-on-year.
o Sales of motor vehicles showed particularly strong growth, as purchases spiked before the expiry of the first registration tax concessions for electric private cars at the end of March.
o In volume terms, March retail sales surged 9.8% from a year earlier, compared with a 17.5% rise in February.
o For the first quarter of 2026, the total retail sales value increased by 12.1% from a year earlier, and retail sales volume rose 9.8% year-on-year.
o "Looking ahead, the near-term outlook for retail sales is broadly positive, underpinned by recovering local demand, sustained growth in inbound tourism and a favourable macro-financial environment," a government spokesperson said.
o Visitor arrivals in March increased 14% y/y to 4.35 million, data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed. The number of Chinese mainland visitors rose 15.9% y/y to 3.19 million.
o Sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose 27.2% y/y in March after a rise of 24.2% in February.
o Sales of motor vehicles and parts jumped 80.8% y/y in March following a 37.3% rise in February.
o Sales of clothing, footwear and allied products increased 5.9% y/y in March after a 14.1% rise in February.
($1 = 7.8362 Hong Kong dollars)
(Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
