The value of total receipts for the restaurants sector was $13.4 billion in the third quarter, up 8.2% compared with the same quarter in 2003. Over the same period, the value of total purchases of restaurants increased 13.6%, to $4.7 billion.

Releasing the figures today, the Census & Statistics Department said total restaurant receipts rose by 7.8% in volume in the third quarter as compared to a year earlier after discounting the effect of price changes.

Analysed by type of restaurant, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased 8.9% in value or 8.4% in volume.

Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased 7.8% in value or 8.3% in volume, while total receipts of fast food shops increased 7.6% in value or 6.1% in volume.

Total receipts of bars increased 7.5% in value or 5.5% in volume as compared to a year earlier.

As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased 3.4% in value or 4.8% in volume.