Retail sales jumped 14.7% to $39.9b in June

Check out how each segment fared.

In a report, the Census & Statistics Department announced the total retail sales value in June, provisionally estimated at $39.9 billion, rose 14.7% over a year earlier.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the total retail sales volume grew 13.4%.

The revised estimate of total retail sales value in May increased 12.9% year-on-year, while total retail sales volume rose 12.2%.

For the first half of 2013, total retail sales grew 15% in value and 14.4% in volume over the same period a year earlier.

Analysed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing June 2013 with June 2012, the sales volume of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 43.7%.

This was followed by sales of commodities in supermarkets (3.6% in volume); commodities in department stores (29.2%); wearing apparel (11.1%); medicines and cosmetics (14.1%); other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified (9.3%); miscellaneous consumer durable goods (14.9%); fuels (6.3%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (7.9%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (7.9%); Chinese drugs and herbs (11.9%); and, optical shops (24.5%).

On the other hand, the sales volume of electrical goods and photographic equipment decreased by 11.8%. This was followed by sales of food, alcohol and tobacco (-2.8% in volume); motor vehicles and parts (-14.8%); and, furniture and fixtures (-3.6%).

The department noted that retail sales recorded further notable year-on-year growth in June, reflecting the buoyant inbound tourism as well as upbeat local consumer sentiment. The performance of the retail business in the near term should continue to be supported by the favourable labour market conditions and sustained growth in inbound tourism.