Hong Kong April retail sales rise 15 percent
Retail sales grew 15 percent in April from a year ago, marking the third straight month of double-digit growth, new figures showed on Thursday.  According to provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, the estimated value of total retail sales in April was HK$34.7 billion. Data also showed retail sales grew by 21.7 percent in the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was driven by a 75 percent jump in sales of jewellery, watches, and clocks, the department said. A government spokesperson put the growth down to improving consumer sentiment and visitor arrivals, adding that the disbursement of consumption vouchers will continue to provide support. At the 2023 Hong Kong Retail Summit on Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee said both the "Hello Hong Kong" and "Happy Hong Kong" campaigns have boosted spending. Revised figures showed retail sales grew 40.8 percent in March and 31.3 percent in February.