Growing demand: The sales volume of motor vehicles and parts surged 37.9% in December.

The total retail sales value rose to $25.1 billion in December, up 16.8% over the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department says. The total retail sales volume grew 12.4%.

Total retail sales grew strongly reflecting strong consumer spending and the sustained rapid expansion of inbound tourism. The retail sales volume rose 10.1% last year - marking the fastest increase since 1992.

Analysed by type of retail outlet, the sales volume of vehicles and parts surged 37.9%. This was followed by electrical goods and photographic equipment, up 30.6%.

Other types of retail outlets registering sales volume growth include footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+27.3%); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+15.4%); furniture and fixtures (+13.2%); miscellaneous consumer goods (+13%); commodities in department stores (+10.9%); wearing apparel (+10.5%); commodities in supermarkets (+3%); fuels (+2.2%); and miscellaneous consumer durable goods (+1.5%).

The food, alcohol and tobacco sales volume fell 0.6% over a year earlier.

The total retail sales volume rose 3.1% in the fourth quarter compared with the preceding quarter. Total retail sales recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8% in value, or 10.1% in volume, for the year.