Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales in August, provisionally estimated at $30.3 billion, was up 3.8% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.2% higher year-on-year.

Online sales accounted for 8.4% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $2.6 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 8.9% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 16.4%.

There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+14.2%); medicines and cosmetics (+5%); wearing apparel (+3.1%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+0.4%); commodities in department stores (+1.9%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+0.8%); Chinese drugs and herbs (+0.5%); and optical shops (+5.7%).

By contrast, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 0.8% for the period. Also down were sales of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-3.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-8.9%); fuels (-11.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-1.3%); and furniture and fixtures (-3.9%).

The Government said retail sales improved in August, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth.

Looking ahead, it expects the stabilising local consumer sentiment, coupled with sustained growth in inbound visitors and the Government’s proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events, will render support to retail businesses.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Government Career Fair at the campus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) this afternoon (October 2) with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President (Education) of the university, Professor Irwin King, and encouraged university students to learn more about the work of various government departments and the employment opportunities offered by the Government for young people based on their interests, so they can plan their careers early.

The Government is holding a joint recruitment for Administrative Officer (AO) , Executive Officer II (EO II), Assistant Labour Officer II (ALO II), Assistant Trade Officer II and Management Services Officer II (MSO II). Mrs Yeung called on persons who meet the relevant entry requirements, including university students graduating in the year of 2026 or 2027, to seize the opportunity and apply through an online application system on the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) website (www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/grade/ao/447.html) on or before tomorrow (October 3).

This is the third year that the CSB has co-organised the fair with the CUHK to provide university students with practical, one-stop recruitment information. Students can also ask questions to serving civil servants from various grades on the spot. Mrs Yeung said, “When I chatted with visiting students, some mentioned that they only realised the wide range of employment opportunities the Government offers young people after visiting the fair. They learned that there are diverse options including jobs requiring generalists and some others demanding specialists, and positions in the disciplined services. The fair deepened their understanding of the work, requirements, and career progression pathways of the departments. It’s a win-win-win situation for the Government, students, and the university.”

Twenty-four government departments jointly introduced the work and recruitment arrangements of over 50 grades to students at the fair, including AO, EO II, ALO II, MSO II, Statistician, Engineering Graduate, Telecommunications Engineer, Town Planner, Pilot, Labour Inspector II, Occupational Safety Officer II, Health Inspector II, Liaison Officer II, Technical Officer, Analyst/Programmer II, Assistant Information Officer, Assistant Programme Officer, Assistant Curator II, and education-related posts, as well as various positions in the disciplined services. In addition, some departments, such as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Inland Revenue Department, and the Legal Aid Department, also conducted recruitment talks for the students.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), announced the launch of the IADS Developer Hackathon and held the Kick-off Ceremony today (October 2), marking the beginning of a multi-month innovation journey to foster innovation for the Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative, and transform banking services through secure, customer-consented data sharing.
 
The IADS Developer Hackathon, organised by the HKSTP, runs from October 2025 to March 2026. It brings together the banking industry and fintech firms from around the world to collaborate and create innovative, secure, customer-consented solutions, leveraging the IADS to drive digital transformation in Hong Kong’s banking sector. Participants will develop innovative use cases for retail, corporate and small and medium-sized enterprises customer segments, with mentorship provided by banking professionals. Finalists will be invited to showcase their solutions at the IADS Developer Conference in March 2026, and winning teams may also have the opportunity to access business expansion support, investor engagement platforms, brand exposure, and future pitching opportunities through HKSTP, and other partner organisations, to promote the market and development of their solutions.
 
The IADS initiative is formulated by the HKMA and launched with the support of the banking industry. The IADS initiative has established rules and standards that facilitate interbank customer-consented data sharing. This enables customers to securely and efficiently share their bank account data from one participating bank to other participating banks, subject to customer consent. Account data sharing can help digitalise banking operations, strengthen risk management of banks, and enhance customer experience.
 
According to Executive Director (Financial Infrastructure) of the HKMA, Mr Nelson Chow, “The IADS Developer Hackathon represents an exciting opportunity for the financial and technology sectors to converge and drive innovation in IADS. We look forward to this event uncovering novel solutions that will benefit both the industry and the community.”
 
     Acting Chief Corporate Development Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Eric Or, said, “The IADS Developer Hackathon embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that HKSTP strives to foster. It will help catalyse innovation, providing valuable opportunities for startups to exchange and collaborate with the industry, and propelling Hong Kong’s position as a hub for financial technology and innovation.”
 
For more information about the IADS initiative, please visit the HKMA website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (October 2).

     The value of total retail sales in August 2025, provisionally estimated at $30.3 billion, increased by 3.8% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in July 2025 increased by 1.8% compared with a year earlier. For the first 8 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

     Of the total retail sales value in August 2025, online sales accounted for 8.4%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.6 billion, increased by 8.9% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online retail sales in July 2025 increased by 13.3% compared with a year earlier. For the first 8 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 3.0% compared with the same period in 2024.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in August 2025 increased by 3.2% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in July 2025 increased by 0.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first 8 months of 2025 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 3.1% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.

     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing August 2025 with August 2024, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 16.4%. This was followed by sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+14.2% in value); medicines and cosmetics (+5.0%); wearing apparel (+3.1%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+0.4%); commodities in department stores (+1.9%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+0.8%); Chinese drugs and herbs (+0.5%); and optical shops (+5.7%).

     On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 0.8% in August 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-3.6% in value); motor vehicles and parts (-8.9%); fuels (-11.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-1.3%); and furniture and fixtures (-3.9%).

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 0.3% in the three months ending August 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.3%.
 
Commentary

     A government spokesman said that retail sales improved in August. The value of total retail sales grew further by 3.8% over a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. 

     Looking ahead, the spokesman said that the stabilising local consumer sentiment, coupled with sustained growth in inbound visitors and the Government’s proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events, should render support to retail businesses.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for July 2025 as well as the provisional figures for August 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first 8 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for July 2025 as well as the provisional figures for August 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 8 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for July 2025 as well as the provisional figures for August 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 8 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

     Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The classification of retail companies follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail companies and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail companies through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail companies with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 2) reminded the public that, in view of special marine transport measures tomorrow morning (October 3), ferry services will be adjusted. It has steered operators to enhance relevant bus services. Members of the public, especially residents of outlying islands, should plan their journeys early and allow sufficient time for commuting.

(1) Outlying island ferry service adjustments

     From around 9.40am to 11.15am tomorrow, a total of seven outlying island ferry service routes will be adjusted gradually. Service details during these periods are as follows:

Central – Cheung Chau
 

• From Central: Sailing at 9.45am to remain unchanged, sailing at 10.15am to be cancelled, scheduled sailing at 10.45am to be adjusted to depart at 11am, service to resume as normal at 11.15am

Central – Mui Wo
 

• From Mui Wo: Sailing at 8.45am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 9.40am to be advanced to depart at 9.30am, scheduled sailing at 10am to be adjusted to depart at 10.20am, service to resume as normal at 10.40am
• From Central: Sailing at 9.50am to remain unchanged, sailing at 10.30am to be cancelled, service to resume as normal at 11.10am

Central – Peng Chau
 

• From Peng Chau: Sailing at 9.15am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 10am to be adjusted to depart at 10.30am, service to resume as normal at 10.45am
• From Central: Sailing at 10am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 10.45am to be adjusted to depart at 11am, service to resume as normal at 11.30am

Peng Chau – Hei Ling Chau (special sailing)
 

• From Peng Chau: Sailing at 9.45am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 11.15am to be adjusted to depart at 11.30am, service to resume as normal at 12.45pm

Central – Yung Shue Wan
 

• From Central: Sailing at 9.30am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 10.10am to be advanced to depart at 10am, service to resume as normal at 11am

Central – Sok Kwu Wan
 

• From Central: Sailing at 8.35am to remain unchanged, scheduled sailing at 10.20am to be advanced to depart at 10am, service to resume as normal at 11.50am

Central – Ma Wan

• From Ma Wan: Sailing at 9.30am to remain unchanged, sailing at 10am to be cancelled, service to resume as normal at noon
• From Central: Sailing at 10am to remain unchanged, sailing at 10.30am to be cancelled, service to resume as normal at 12.30pm

Central – Discovery Bay

• From Discovery Bay: Sailing at 9.40am to remain unchanged, sailing at 10.10am to be cancelled, service to resume as normal at 10.40am
• From Central: Sailing at 9.40am to remain unchanged, sailings at 10.10am and 10.40am to be cancelled, service to resume as normal at 11.10am

(2) Bus services to be enhanced

     During the affected period, operators will enhance bus services in Mui Wo, Ma Wan and Discovery Bay to ease passenger flow:
 

• Enhancing service between Mui Wo Pier and Tung Chung Station (New Lantao Bus route No. 3M);
• Enhancing service between Ma Wan (Tung Wan Bus Terminus) and Central Ferry Pier No. 2 (Circular) (Residents’ Service route No. NR338S);
• Enhancing service between Discovery Bay and Sunny Bay (Residents’ Service route No. DB03R); and
• Operating free bus service from Discovery Bay to Central Ferry Pier No. 3.

     Details of the above outlying island ferry service adjustments and special bus service arrangements are set out in the Annex.

(3) In-harbour ferries’ temporary service adjustments

     Of note, from about 10.45am to 11.45am tomorrow, subject to the actual situation, there may be temporary service adjustments of up to around 30 minutes in nine in-harbour ferry routes, namely Wan Chai – Tsim Sha Tsui, Central – Tsim Sha Tsui, North Point – Hung Hom, North Point – Kowloon City, Central – Hung Hom, North Point – Kwun Tong, Water Taxi, Sai Wan Ho – Kwun Tong and Sai Wan Ho – Sam Ka Tsuen.

     Members of the public are urged to pay heed to the latest traffic news and announcements through radio and television broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile application and the ferry operators. The TD and operators will closely monitor the actual traffic situation at sea and, if practicable, resume normal services as soon as possible. Public transport services will be enhanced as needed to ease passenger flow.

     The TD will work with the Islands District Office, relevant District Services and Community Care Teams of Islands District as well as ferry and road-based public transport operators to enhance information dissemination through websites, mobile applications, notices at piers and onboard as well as district networks to inform passengers of the above arrangements.

     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services across the territory, including in the districts concerned.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region