December sales value up in HK

Total retail sales value rose to HK$25.3 billion (US$3.26 billion) in December, up 0.8 percent from a year earlier, while total retail sales volume fell 0.7 percent, the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong said yesterday.

Analyzed by type of retail outlet, the sales volume of miscellaneous consumer durable goods rose 16.9 percent, followed by fuels, electrical goods and photographic equipment, said the department.

However, sales volume of motor vehicles and parts fell 22.3 percent. Sales of jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts dropped 9.8 percent, while footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories dipped 5.6 percent.

The department said retail sales showed some improvement in December as compared with the previous two months, with some stabilization in inbound tourism and local consumer spending.

The total retail sales volume dropped 3.6 percent in the fourth quarter of last year compared with the preceding quarter.

For last year as a whole, total retail sales rose 10.5 percent in value or 5 percent in volume over 2007.