The value of retail sales in August, provisionally estimated at $15.6 billion, rose 5.9% over the same period last year.

The Census & Statistics Department said after netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the overall volume of retail sales moderately rose 4.2%, following notable growth of 8.3% in July.

The moderation is partly due to the distortion caused by the difference in timing of the Mid-Autumn Festival between this year and last year.

Another relevant factor is a higher base of comparison in August last year, due to the instant boost to tourist spending after the launch of the Individual Visit Scheme in July last year.

Car and car part sales rise

Amongst the various types of retail outlets, sales of motor vehicles and parts increased the most, by 38.7% in volume, followed by electrical goods and photographic equipment (21.7%), furniture and fixtures (8.9%), commodities in supermarkets (4.8%), commodities in department stores (4.1%), wearing apparel (2%), footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (1.7%), and miscellaneous consumer goods (1.4%).

However, sales of food, alcohol and tobacco fell 7.9% and fuels fell 6.7% in volume, while sales of miscellaneous consumer durable goods fell 2.4% and jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts fell 1% in volume.

In the first eight months of the year, retail sales rose 12.1% in value or 10% in volume over the same period last year.

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the overall volume of retail sales fell 1.5% in the quarter ending August, as compared to the preceding quarter.