Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (September 2021) (20219)2021 9
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
CONTENTS
Value index of retail sales by type of retail outlet
Value of retail sales by type of retail outlet 2. 2.
1. 1.
Introduction
1. 1. Revised coverage of different types of retail outlets
2. 2. Concordance table for types of retail outlets under old and new classifications
Value of retail sales in supermarkets by broad product category
3.
3.
Value of retail sales in department stores by broad product category
4.
Volume index of retail sales by type of retail outlet
5. 5.
Movement of the value and volume of total retail sales
6. 6.
Survey coverage1. 1.
4.

4.
22
24
Value of online retail sales by selected type of retail outlet
7.
7.
25

3 12 (852) 3903 7400 (852) 2123 1036
mrs@censtatd.gov.hk
Enquiries about this publication can be directed to : Distribution Services Statistics Section, Census and Statistics Department
Address : 12/F Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel. : (852) 3903 7400 Fax : (852) 2123 1036 E-mail : mrs@censtatd.gov.hk
Website of the Census and Statistics Department www.censtatd.gov.hk
202111 Published in November 2021

Introduction

1. The Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS) collects data for compiling retail sales statistics primarily intended to measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments, for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector.
2.

20211

2. Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics. Starting from January 2020, data on online retail sales have been collected in MRS. The relevant results were first published in the January 2021 issue of this report.
3.
19
3. The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC), which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes. To facilitate analysis of the short-term business performance of the local retail sector, the industry classes of the retail sector have been grouped into 19 retail outlet types in this report, taking into account their importance in the retail sector.
4. 200810

4. Upon the implementation of the new HSIC Version 2.0 by the Census and Statistics Department in October 2008, the MRS has been enhanced to adopt the new classification in compiling the retail sales statistics. Starting from the reference month of January 2009, all the retail sales statistics are compiled based on the HSIC Version 2.0.
5. 201920
20215

5. Following the release of the 2019/20- based Composite Consumer Price Index in May 2021, the series of value and volume indices of retail sales have been re-referenced, taking October 2019 to September 2020 as the new reference period and adopting the relevant components of the 2019/20-based Composite Consumer Price Index as deflators for compiling the volume index of retail sales. As from the reference month of September 2021, the value and volume indices of retail sales and their year- on-year rates of changes published in each month are compiled based on the re-referenced series.
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202020219
8.0%
6. According to the MRS, the value of total retail sales in September 2021, provisionally estimated at $28.0 billion, increased by 7.3% compared with the same month in 2020. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in August 2021 increased by 11.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first nine months of 2021 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 8.0% compared with the same period in 2020.
7. 2021 9
43.5%
7. Of the total retail sales value in September 2021, online sales accounted for 8.0%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, increased by 30.5% compared with the same month in 2020. The revised estimate of online retail sales in August 2021 increased by 17.6% compared with a year earlier. For the first nine months of 2021 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 43.5% compared with the same period in 2020.
8. 2021 9 2020 4.7%20218
2020
10.0% 2020 2021 9
6.8%
8. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in September 2021 increased by 4.7% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in August 2021 increased by 10.0% compared with a year earlier. For the first nine months of 2021 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales increased by 6.8% in volume compared with the same period in 2020.
9.
48.3%
0.5%
16.2%
18.7%8.8%
9.8% 8.1%15.1%
17.3%
9. Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing September 2021 with September 2020, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified increased by 48.3%. This was followed by sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+0.5% in value); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+16.2%); other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified (+18.7%); wearing apparel (+8.8%); medicines and cosmetics (+9.8%); motor vehicles and parts (+8.1%); fuels (+15.1%); and optical shops (+17.3%).
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4.9%
11.6%
1.3%
6.4%
10.9%
10. On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 4.9% in September 2021 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-11.6% in value); furniture and fixtures (-1.3%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-6.4%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-4.2%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-10.9%).
11. 202132
1.6%
11. Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 3.7% in the third quarter of 2021 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 1.6%.
12. 1 20201020219
100
12. Table 1 presents the value index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by type of retail outlet from October 2020 to September 2021. The value index is compiled with the average monthly value index of retail sales from October 2019 to September 2020 taken as 100.
13. 2 20201020219

13. Table 2 presents the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by type of retail outlet from October 2020 to September 2021.
14. 3 20201020219

14. Table 3 presents the value of retail sales in supermarkets by broad product category from October 2020 to September 2021.
15. 4 20201020219

15. Table 4 presents the value of retail sales in department stores by broad product category from October 2020 to September 2021.
16. 5 20201020219
100
16. Table 5 presents the volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by type of retail outlet from October 2020 to September 2021. The volume index is compiled with the average monthly volume index of retail sales from October 2019 to September 2020 taken as 100.
17. 6


3 3
17. Table 6 shows the movement of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a 3-month period compared with the preceding 3-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.
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18. Table 7 presents the value of online retail
sales by selected type of retail outlet. 19. 1220161
20219

19. Charts 1 and 2 depict, respectively, the movements of the value and volume indices of total retail sales from January 2016 to September 2021.
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1
Table 1 : Value index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100)
20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
100.297.4100.596.798.9111.2105.7116.697.4112.3 102.7102.8 105.9 102.498.2
All retail outlets (+8.0)(+11.9)(+10.4) (+7.3)(+2.8)(+5.8)(+12.1)(+20.2)(+2.7)(+30.0)(-13.7)(-24.3)(-13.3)(-4.1)(-8.7)
106.678.785.590.182.5115.4116.0114.797.3102.1 () 95.390.2 90.5 93.494.7
Food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (other than supermarkets)
(-2.6)(+1.0)(+0.7) (+0.5)(-5.6)(-1.6)(-3.6)(-2.0)(-5.7)(+8.0)(-16.4)(-12.7)(-14.1)(-8.8)(-6.6)
79.269.484.396.695.3141.2153.2129.1101.6110.7 96.892.0 88.0 76.184.3
(-6.6)(-17.9)(-4.9) (-14.5)(-15.6)(-6.0)(-8.3)(-4.8)(+1.8)(-5.3)(+11.8)(+12.9)(+6.8)(+7.6)(+7.6)Fish, livestock and poultry, fresh or frozen
129.4112.8132.1123.2103.0104.795.0114.3105.7104.3 118.393.5 128.7 126.3130.9
171.088.881.287.982.5105.4105.9105.098.798.6 102.085.7 86.7 108.694.4
(+1.3)(+21.7)(+3.0) (+10.8)(-0.8)(-5.8)(-2.3)(-4.3)(-6.8)(+12.3)(-20.4)(-14.8)(-6.4)(-4.8)(-4.6)Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits
84.480.183.583.168.5106.994.5119.495.1101.4 90.299.9 95.8 102.5110.0
92.692.489.986.588.995.493.297.6101.299.9 92.790.7 95.0 98.595.6
Fuels (+12.9)(+21.0)(+22.4) (+15.1)(+11.8)(+5.1)(+26.7)(+18.8)(-1.2)(+11.0)(-10.9)(-2.4)(-9.9)(-5.5)(-2.3)
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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Table 1 : Value index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100) (Cont'd)
20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )()
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
90.0115.1110.4111.4111.4119.2114.3124.193.4122.4 111.399.0 123.6 101.694.0
(+24.3)(+40.8)(+11.9) (+6.5)(+30.9)(+15.4)(+61.2)(+74.1)(+7.4)(+89.0)(-23.2)(-41.1)(-29.4)(-14.3)(-10.7)
90.6120.5112.5114.4115.5118.7115.1122.493.7125.5 112.9100.5 126.9 97.894.1
86.587.299.495.590.3121.3110.1132.592.0106.3 103.391.5 106.9 121.393.5
116.298.0104.5100.8113.3125.0113.6136.3102.3141.1 110.1143.7 101.4 106.9105.3
Consumer durable goods (+18.3)(+7.0)(+7.2) (+29.2)(+5.2)(+16.0)(+11.9)(+34.4)(+27.9)(+36.6)(+21.4)(-10.2)(+17.1)(+21.0)(-14.6)
110.7125.5141.0100.9130.3116.4115.2117.5103.7122.0 118.5121.5 127.0 98.7103.3
107.0105.4105.4118.4103.0104.485.7123.1102.7120.0 109.0110.1 108.6 124.688.9
(+7.4)(+7.7)(+2.4) (-1.3)(+0.6)(-3.6)(+6.7)(+12.9)(+25.1)(+29.3)(+22.4)(+0.4)(+6.0)(+15.1)(+13.9)Furniture and fixtures
120.385.489.697.2108.5132.7118.8146.6101.6153.2 106.9159.7 89.5 106.7109.4
86.182.786.879.180.090.585.595.597.7105.6 88.8106.3 110.9 92.4104.9
111.6111.6116.292.5104.8117.5116.6118.489.1108.2 110.297.4 109.1 111.2100.5
(+30.0)(+28.1)(+54.8) (+16.2)(+26.3)(+31.9)(+93.9)(+81.2)(+3.3)(+114.4)(-31.6)(-54.0)(-41.0)(-16.2)(-26.8)
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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Table 1 : Value index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100) (Cont'd)
20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )()
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
94.1100.6106.3108.7104.8117.8107.6128.096.1108.7 107.689.7 112.1 106.092.6
Other consumer goods (+12.3)(+24.9)(+22.6) (+10.7)(+9.0)(+12.4)(+23.2)(+28.3)(-3.5)(+24.5)(-18.8)(-31.1)(-17.8)(-11.6)(-11.1)
123.599.077.593.586.685.473.697.296.2108.5 99.286.6 89.5 152.0123.1
(+6.7)(+27.4)(+11.0) (-6.4)(+9.8)(+6.8)(+9.8)(+19.1)(-7.0)(+5.6)(-14.8)(-29.9)(-20.2)(-17.6)(+0.3)Books, newspapers, stationery and gifts
97.892.5105.394.799.5100.690.4110.995.5132.3 98.577.5 99.0 96.789.1
88.099.599.6133.7108.2103.9118.089.894.191.6 110.080.6 127.7 125.779.8
78.482.682.390.088.0103.095.1110.987.387.9 89.679.9 89.6 89.476.5
101.4115.8129.9125.7121.0137.4124.3150.6103.1122.7 123.899.9 133.7 111.5101.5
(+22.0)(+30.1)(+26.9) (+18.7)(+15.9)(+16.0)(+29.2)(+36.0)(+15.5)(+41.9)(+0.1)(-9.9)(+6.2)(+15.0)(+19.8)Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified
& 96.0 92.892.797.991.790.685.4 96.386.997.195.698.5101.6103.292.3
Supermarkets and supermarket sections of department stores
(+5.3) (+2.5) (+12.8) (+11.4) (-10.8) (-3.2) (-7.2) (-15.0) (-13.1) (-3.3) (-8.1) (-19.2) (-8.9) (-5.9) (-9.9) &
: These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on. * Notes : *
# Denotes change within ±0.05.±0.05 #

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^ ^

& &
(1) (1) Figures in brackets refer to the percentage changes over the same period of the preceding year and are calculated based on unrounded figures.
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Table 2 : Value of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021
HK$ million
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
27,98527,20328,07427,01827,62662,08029,53132,549326,45131,372 258,13728,699 29,565 28,58627,430
8607539151,0491,0353,0661,6641,40213,2421,202 9,460999 956 826915
3493043563322775642563083,416281 2,867252 347 340352
Fruits and vegetables, fresh
Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits
6926576856825621,7547759799,354832 6,658819 786 840902
10777113101892701481221,644145 943113 95 9086
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco
Fuels
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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HK$ million
Value of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Cont'd)
20201020219 ()
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
2,5303,2373,1043,1323,1336,7043,2143,48931,5393,442 28,1792,785 3,478 2,8592,645
2,1362,8402,6522,6982,7225,5992,7132,88626,5112,959 23,9452,369 2,991 2,3072,219
Footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories
5,4044,5604,8634,6915,26911,6285,2876,34157,1086,563 46,1076,686 4,717 4,9754,897
Consumer durable goods
1,2931,4671,6481,1801,5232,7211,3471,37414,5521,426 12,4701,420 1,485 1,1541,208
Electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified
2,6372,5342,6602,4252,4525,5482,6202,92735,9393,235 24,4843,258 3,397 2,8313,215
Jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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HK$ million
Value of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Cont'd)
20201020219 ()
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
5,3365,7066,0316,1655,94313,3636,1057,25865,4086,166 54,9165,088 6,359 6,0135,253
Other consumer goods
3493303763383557193233964,092472 3,166277 354 345318
Chinese drugs and herbs
1511711712301863572031541,941157 1,703139 220 216137
& 5,206 45,3255,0305,3114,9724,9134,633 5,2224,71510,5305,1845,34666,1135,5965,005
Supermarkets and supermarket sections of department stores&
*Notes :* These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on. :

12
^ ^

& &
(1) (1)
The Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS) covers retail establishments based on their principal line of economic activity. Sales in establishments classified to the retail trade, however, may have included, apart from retail sales, a minor portion of other types of sales, like wholesale sales, etc. In the MRS, only retail sales are included. On the other hand, establishments classified to other trades, like the wholesale trade, may also have retail sales. These sales are not included in the MRS.
(2) (2) The sum of individual items may not add up to the total because of rounding.
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Table 3 : Value of retail sales in supermarkets by broad product category, October 2020 to September 2021 HK$ million (1)
20201020219 (1)
2020 2021 2021
Broad product category 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
1,0361,0781,0419731,0142,1561,0351,12114,6691,221 9,5811,052 1,094 1,1881,115
Fresh/chilled meat, fish, seafood, fruit and vegetables, and frozen food
1,7591,7691,7031,6661,6833,7231,8381,88523,9491,900 16,0731,707 1,835 1,9341,778
Dairy products and eggs, non-alcoholic drinks, rice and noodles, and other foods
1,0149859829439681,99099199911,4171,002 8,932972 1,010 1,0401,055
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco
Personal care products, household goods and other goods
4,4614,4524,3324,1694,2839,1924,4924,70058,4964,811 40,2114,367 4,578 4,7454,604
Total
: These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on. * Notes : *
^ ^
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Affected by the timing of the Lunar New Year festival, retail sales tend to show rather significant volatilities in the first two months of the year. The combined retail sales figures for January and February are presented above for reference.
The above figures do not include retail sales in supermarket sections of department stores.
(1) (1)
The sum of individual items may not add up to the total because of rounding.(2) (2)
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Table 4 : Value of retail sales in department stores by broad product category, October 2020 to September 2021
HK$ million
2020 2021 2021
10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876Broad product category 1-9*
Non-supermarket sections
574 449 4,3214984695165894224309494335166,488538561
900 649 5,9776726115959716266481,2045456608,362679888
Proprietary medicines and supplies, cosmetics and toilet requisites
101 86 76792808995778216678891,29387101
Jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts

521 431 3,9254844144204843934128874004876,040521472
Supermarket sections
& 602 569 5,1155665215816444644321,3386926457,617785638
3,215 2,637 24,4842,8312,5342,6603,3972,4252,4525,5482,6202,92735,9393,2353,258 Total
* : *Notes : These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on.
Affected by the timing of the Lunar New Year festival, retail sales tend to show rather significant volatilities in the first two months of the year. The combined retail sales figures for January and February are presented above for reference.
^^
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& Supermarket sections are engaged in the retail of general provisions including a variety of foods as major items.
&
The sum of individual items may not add up to the total because of rounding.(1)(1)
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Table 5 : Volume index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100)
5 20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
98.195.998.495.297.7111.1105.6116.597.3112.7 101.4102.6 103.9 101.098.3
All retail outlets (+6.8)(+10.0)(+8.9) (+4.7)(+0.8)(+3.5)(+11.5)(+20.0)(+2.8)(+31.0)(-14.0)(-25.5)(-14.0)(-4.3)(-8.9)
104.777.684.388.280.5113.0112.3113.796.9101.8 () 93.690.1 89.1 92.194.3
Food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (other than supermarkets)
(-3.8)(-0.1)(-0.5) (-1.5)(-6.7)(-2.6)(-5.0)(-4.2)(-6.4)(+6.9)(-16.6)(-17.4)(-15.4)(-10.4)(-8.4)
(-7.8)(-19.0)(-6.3) (-15.3)(-16.7)(-7.0)(-10.7)(-7.7)(+1.6)(-7.0)(+13.6)(-0.6)(+4.8)(+5.5)(+5.8)
Fruits and vegetables, fresh (+11.8)(-1.7)(+14.8) (+2.1)(+7.9)(+12.7)(+15.2)(+14.9)(+26.6)(+18.9)(+33.3)(+11.6)(+25.6)(+20.5)(+11.4)
167.487.179.786.781.7105.3105.7104.998.698.8 100.686.1 85.4 106.594.3
Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits
(+0.1)(+20.1)(+1.5) (+7.7)(-1.9)(-7.3)(-3.6)(-5.0)(-6.5)(+13.9)(-20.7)(-15.8)(-6.4)(-4.8)(-5.5)
82.178.682.081.767.5105.793.2118.194.5100.3 88.799.0 94.2 100.6109.2
(-3.4)(+4.8)(-1.3) (-2.0)(-6.6)(-1.6)(-8.9)(-5.8)(-4.8)(+38.5)(-23.7)(-20.4)(-26.5)(-16.9)(-7.9)
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-27.6)(+13.9)(+3.1) (+15.1)(+12.9)(+18.1)(+30.1)(+10.2)(-62.3)(-1.3)(-78.4)(-68.2)(-70.8)(-66.9)(-74.0)
91.691.789.385.887.994.792.696.9100.6100.0 91.989.9 94.3 97.595.2
Fuels (+5.7)(+11.1)(+9.9) (+6.3)(+2.4)(-3.2)(+15.7)(+13.2)(-1.2)(+9.7)(-9.9)(-2.1)(-8.5)(-2.3)(+0.7)
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )()
Volume index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100) (Cont'd)
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
86.0115.5108.7106.5108.9123.1119.0127.294.7125.2 110.697.5 121.4 102.094.4
(+21.5)(+32.7)(+10.0) (-1.4)(+27.5)(+12.5)(+57.2)(+70.3)(+9.2)(+92.2)(-22.2)(-37.8)(-26.7)(-10.4)(-6.9)
85.3119.9109.5107.6111.5122.0119.2124.894.6128.0 110.997.7 122.7 97.393.3
Wearing apparel (+22.2)(+27.4)(+10.2) (-0.4)(+26.8)(+15.4)(+58.9)(+70.9)(+10.6)(+87.2)(-20.4)(-38.5)(-25.7)(-10.4)(-8.8)
89.892.4104.6101.295.5128.8118.3139.495.0111.1 109.196.7 114.4 126.2100.2
(+18.0)(+59.4)(+8.4) (-6.1)(+32.6)(-0.9)(+48.7)(+67.1)(+2.7)(+123.0)(-29.6)(-33.7)(-32.1)(-10.1)(+3.4)
116.497.8103.6100.3112.6126.6115.0138.3102.9143.0 110.2145.5 100.7 107.2106.3
Consumer durable goods (+18.1)(+5.9)(+6.6) (+28.4)(+4.9)(+14.8)(+11.0)(+34.1)(+29.3)(+37.5)(+23.2)(-8.7)(+19.2)(+23.3)(-12.9)
107.4121.9134.996.2124.0114.3113.1115.5103.0120.4 114.5119.3 121.8 95.6101.3
Motor vehicles and parts (+15.1)(-3.2)(+23.8) (+7.3)(+21.4)(+32.4)(+16.2)(+17.3)(+10.4)(+21.3)(+1.4)(-10.1)(+7.9)(+17.8)(+10.1)
104.4105.0105.0118.8103.3105.186.4123.8102.4119.5 108.8109.3 108.5 123.988.9
Furniture and fixtures (+7.4)(+6.3)(+2.5) (-3.9)(+1.2)(-3.7)(+6.6)(+14.3)(+26.7)(+31.5)(+23.5)(-0.5)(+4.9)(+13.7)(+13.5)
122.586.690.698.1109.9136.1121.6150.5102.9157.1 108.8163.6 90.5 108.4111.9
Electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified
(+21.9)(+9.5)(#) (+47.5)(-1.8)(+10.9)(+10.2)(+48.9)(+37.8)(+45.8)(+31.9)(-9.7)(+25.9)(+26.6)(-21.9)
84.682.185.077.478.891.086.395.798.2106.6 87.8107.5 108.0 92.7105.0
103.3102.6107.389.3101.0112.4111.3113.587.7105.3 103.794.2 102.2 102.899.0
(+23.8)(+21.8)(+49.5) (+9.9)(+16.7)(+22.4)(+91.8)(+78.2)(-1.6)(+105.7)(-34.9)(-56.8)(-44.3)(-20.5)(-28.5)
Note : Please refer to the last page of this table. :
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20201020219 (20191020209 = 100 )()
Volume index of retail sales by type of retail outlet, October 2020 to September 2021 (Average monthly index from Oct 2019 to Sep 2020 = 100) (Cont'd)
2020 2021 2021
Type of retail outlet 10 431-2^2^1^1-121211 5 9*876 1-9*
93.6100.3105.1108.8105.6118.6108.8128.595.4108.7 107.589.7 111.3 105.993.0
Other consumer goods (+13.5)(+24.7)(+23.7) (+9.6)(+8.7)(+11.5)(+25.9)(+32.7)(-1.3)(+28.7)(-17.6)(-31.5)(-20.6)(-13.7)(-12.3)
118.496.975.891.885.584.172.595.796.0107.2 97.085.8 87.7 148.5122.2
Books, newspapers, stationery and gifts
(+4.4)(+24.5)(+8.6) (-9.6)(+7.1)(+4.6)(+7.5)(+17.2)(-8.6)(+3.7)(-16.1)(-31.5)(-21.1)(-18.4)(-0.4)
98.192.7105.394.399.3100.089.9110.295.2131.5 98.476.9 99.0 97.288.5
Chinese drugs and herbs (+4.8)(+28.3)(+19.3) (-10.0)(-1.5)(+11.0)(+15.7)(+27.5)(-12.8)(+5.3)(-23.5)(-27.2)(-16.1)(-16.3)(-16.5)
88.7100.0100.0133.8108.3104.0118.189.994.391.6 110.580.7 128.8 126.780.0
82.386.085.093.090.7105.597.4113.785.389.8 92.881.5 92.7 93.977.5
Medicines and cosmetics (+7.7)(+20.4)(+29.5) (+14.8)(+6.3)(+15.6)(+27.2)(+30.1)(-17.8)(+19.4)(-35.1)(-51.0)(-44.0)(-37.2)(-42.3)
98.1112.7125.4123.9120.9137.5125.1150.0103.1121.6 121.698.9 129.8 108.3101.8
(+19.6)(+25.2)(+23.7) (+13.8)(+11.7)(+11.1)(+28.2)(+37.3)(+15.3)(+43.7)(-1.1)(-9.1)(+4.2)(+15.0)(+23.2)
& 95.6 92.091.796.991.090.084.7 95.585.996.394.997.8101.0103.391.5
Supermarkets and supermarket sections of department stores
(+2.7) (-0.6) (+10.6) (+5.6) (-13.3) (-2.5) (-8.3) (-15.2) (-12.5) (-3.0) (-8.5) (-19.5) (-8.5) (-6.0) (-10.1) &
: These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on. * Notes : *
# #±0.05 Denotes change within ±0.05.

12
^ ^

& &
(1) (1) Figures in brackets refer to the percentage changes over the same period of the preceding year and are calculated based on unrounded figures.
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Table 6 : Movement of the value and volume of total retail sales


11 11 8+1.2+1.4 -1.6-0.5
12 12 9+0.1+0.1 -0.7-0.2
2019 1 12019 10+6.9+7.0 -2.1-2.0
2 2 11-10.5-10.2 -1.2-1.3
3 3 12-0.8-0.2 -0.6-0.6
5 5 2-1.8-1.4 +0.4-0.1
6 6 3-7.6-6.7 -2.8-3.3
7 7 4-13.1-11.5 -5.5-5.7
8 8 5-25.2-22.9 -13.1-12.1
9 9 6-20.3-18.2 -15.9-13.8
10 10 7-26.4-24.4 -17.6-15.2
11 11 8-25.5-23.7 -11.7-10.0
12 12 9-21.1-19.4 -6.3-6.2
2 2 11-46.7-44.0 -8.9-9.4
3 3 12-44.0-42.1 -18.7-18.4
5 5 2-34.0-32.9 -11.9-12.4
6 6 3-25.3-24.7 +5.4+3.7
7 7 4-23.8-23.1 +16.0+13.9
8 8 5-13.4-13.1 +11.8+11.0
9 9 6-13.3-12.8 +3.9+5.3
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()
Movement of the value and volume of total retail sales (Cont'd)
6
Table 6 :


11 11 8-4.3-4.1 +1.6+3.8
12 12 9-14.0-13.3 +2.0+2.6
2021 1 12021 10-14.0-13.7 +2.6+1.4
2 2 11+31.0+30.0 -2.1-2.8
3 3 12+20.0+20.2 -1.7-2.2
4 4 2021 1+11.5+12.1 -2.3-2.8
5 5 2+8.9+10.4 +1.8+1.7
6 6 3+3.5+5.8 +3.3+3.3
7 7 4+0.8+2.8 +3.8+3.9
8 8 5+10.0+11.9 +3.3+4.1
9 9 6+4.7**+7.3 *+1.6+3.7*
Notes
*
These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on.
(1) 3320219 320217892021456
The rate of change is calculated by comparing the monthly average index for the 3-month period ending the month in question with that for the preceding 3-month period, e.g. the rate for the 3 months ending Sep 2021 is the percentage change of the average monthly index for Jul, Aug and Sep 2021 compared with the average monthly index for Apr, May and Jun 2021.
(2) X-12(X-12 ARIMA)
1
3
The seasonally adjusted series is compiled using the X-12 ARIMA method, which is a standard method applied in compiling seasonally adjusted statistical data series. The series may be revised as more data become available. For the value and
volume indices of total retail sales, the seasonally adjusted series for the preceding 3 years are revised each year when the figures for January are published.
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7
Table 7 : Value of online retail sales by selected type of retail outlet
/
Year / Month


2020
20,586
: Not available. *
These are provisional figures which are subject to revision later on. (1)



Online retail sales refer to the sales of goods to customers through computer networks specially operated by local retail establishments for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders. The goods are ordered by those methods, but the payment and the ultimate delivery of goods do not have to be conducted online. On the other hand, orders made by manually typed e-mails, telephone calls or facsimiles are not regarded as online sales. In the case where a retail establishment provides an online platform for use by other businesses in selling goods, the value of online sales refers to the commissions and service charges.
(2)
Figures in brackets refer to the percentage changes over the same period of the preceding year.
(3)
The sum of individual items may not add up to the total because of rounding.
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1
Chart 1 Movement of value index of total retail sales:
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
1/16 7/16 1/17 7/17 1/18 7/18 1/19 7/19 1/20 7/20 1/21

Chart 2 Movement of volume index of total retail sales:
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
1/16 7/16 1/17 7/17 1/18 7/18 1/19 7/19 1/20 7/20 1/21

9/21
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1.
2009 1 2.0 1.1
Survey methodology
1. Survey coverage
The Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS) covers all retail establishments in Hong Kong. Starting from January 2009 round, the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0 has been adopted in place of HSIC Version 1.1 for classifying the economic activities of retail establishments (see the section “Classification of retail outlets” below for further details).

With the existing classification of retail outlets, the overlapping of commodity coverage among different outlet types should not be considerable in most cases. However, for department stores, because of the very nature of their operating characteristics, overlapping with the other outlet types is much greater in terms of commodity coverage. Care should be taken about this when interpreting the retail sales statistics in this report.
2.0 1 2
It should be noted that some establishments originally classified as retail outlets under the old version of HSIC may be re-classified into other retail outlet types or may even no longer be classified as retail trade after the implementation of HSIC Version 2.0. For details of the changes in coverage of each retail outlet type, readers may refer to Appendices 1 and 2 which present the revised coverage of each retail outlet type and a concordance table for types of retail outlets under the old and new classifications respectively.
2.
1990 2
2. Classification of retail outlets
Since 1990, the HSIC has been adopted for classifying the economic activities of establishments in Hong Kong. The HSIC is devised using the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities Revision 2 (ISIC Rev. 2) as a framework with local adaptation to reflect the structure of the Hong Kong economy. It is a statistical classification framework for classifying economic units into industry classes based on their major economic activities. This framework not only provides a basic stratification for sample selection of economic units in various surveys, but also serves as a standard industrial classification in Hong Kong for compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistics by economic activities.
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The classification of retail establishments in the MRS also follows the HSIC. To facilitate analysis of the short-term business performance of the local retail sector, the industry classes of the retail sector have been grouped into 19 retail outlet types, taking into account their importance in the retail sector.
1.1 2001 2008 2.0 2008 10 2008 11
The HSIC has been reviewed from time to time to reflect significant changes in the structure of the Hong Kong economy and the emergence of new economic activities. HSIC Version 1.1 was implemented in 2001 and in order to bring HSIC more up-to-date on local economic activities as well as to foster international comparability of official statistics for different users, a full-scale revision exercise was completed in 2008. The revised HSIC, i.e. HSIC Version 2.0, was released in October 2008. Readers may refer to the feature article “Revision of the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification” published in the November 2008 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics for more details on the revision of HSIC.
2009 1 2.0
Starting from the reference month of January 2009, the retail sales statistics are compiled based on the HSIC Version 2.0.
2008 1.1 2.0 2008 2.0 2004 10 : (852) 3903 7400 mrs@censtatd.gov.hk
Parallel coding of the industry classes of establishments covered in the MRS, one under the HSIC Version 1.1 and the other under the HSIC Version 2.0, was undertaken in different survey rounds in the reference year of 2008. Based on the 2008 survey data with dual classifications, the series of retail sales statistics under HSIC Version 2.0 has been backcasted to October 2004. Readers who are interested in the backcasted series or have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: (852) 3903 7400 or E-mail: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).
3.

3. Sample design
A stratified rotational replicate sample design is adopted for the survey.
Retail establishments are first stratified by type and then by employment size. Within each stratum, a given number of replicates are created. Sample size in each replicate is determined by Neyman’s Allocation according to the desired level of precision for the estimated sales values for various retail outlet types. For each month, three replicates are used, with one new replicate rotated in and one old replicate rotated - 21 - Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales September 2021
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3 000
out. A total of around 3 000 retail establishments are selected for enumeration for each reference month.
4.
4. Data collection
In each survey round, questionnaires are mailed to sampled establishments. Data are collected by post, supplemented by telephone or face-to-face enumeration and verification as necessary. An electronic template of the questionnaire is also available upon request to facilitate completion and submission of the questionnaire by email.
2021 9 78.6% In the September 2021 round, the response rate was 78.6%.
5.
5. Data processing
Completed questionnaires received were subject to thorough checking by statistical staff and detailed computer-based validation checks before tabulation. Such checking covered completeness of entries, consistency among data items and credibility of reported data. Where there seemed to be dubious entries or inconsistencies in the reported data, clarification was made with respondents by telephone or field verification visits. Reporting errors were rectified with information provided by respondents as far as possible. In addition, imputation (e.g. with reference to the data of establishments with similar characteristics) was made for non-response establishments in compiling the survey results.
6.
6. Data dissemination
Provisional statistics of retail sales are published about 1 month after the reference month. These provisional statistics are compiled based on survey data collected up to the cut-off date. Late returns (usually involving only a very small proportion) are used to revise the provisional statistics. The revised statistics are released at the C&SD’s website and relevant publications of the C&SD about 2 months after the reference month.
7.
7. Points to note in analysing retail sales statistics
50%
The retail sales statistics presented in this report cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside
- 22 - Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales September 2021 Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the Census and Statistics Department publication Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly) for more details.

Statistics on retail sales by type of retail outlet contained in this report are outlet statistics, not commodity statistics. Hence, for example, statistics on “clothing, footwear and allied products” do not relate to the total sales of clothing, footwear and allied products, but to the total sales in those shops selling such commodities either as the only items or as the principal items. Sales figures for those outlets may therefore include other commodities. Conversely, some sales of clothing, footwear and allied products may have been subsumed in the sales figures for other outlets (such as supermarkets, where some minor clothing and footwear items are also available).

The value index of retail sales, which is compiled for the entire retail trade as well as for each major type of retail outlet, measures the changes in sales of retail outlets in value terms in a particular period as compared with a reference period.
2016 9 2008 2004 10 2.0
The volume index of retail sales is derived from the value index of retail sales by adjusting for price changes. As from the reference month of September 2016, the volume index of retail sales published in each month is compiled based on the chain-linking approach with annual re-weighting as stipulated in the International Recommendations for Distributive Trade Statistics 2008 published by the United Nations Statistics Division. To maintain comparability of the time series data over time, re-compilation of the re- referenced series based on the chain-linking approach has been made back to October 2004, in tandem with the backcasting of retail sales statistics based on the HSIC Version 2.0.
- 23 - Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales September 2021 Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Coverage
Retail outlets selling fish, other sea products, livestock and poultry, fresh or frozen.
Fruits and vegetables, fresh
Retail outlets selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits
Retail outlets selling bread and cakes, confectionery, biscuits, cookies and egg rolls.
Other food, not elsewhere classified

()
() Groceries of general provisions, groceries of Chinese provisions and retail outlets selling fish and other sea products, dried or preserved; meat, roasted, dried or preserved; preserved provisions and spices; rice; noodles and rice sticks; bean curds and bean products; eggs; non-alcoholic beverages in specialised stores; beverages (include alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and tea leaves and other retail outlets selling specialised food without seats.
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco
Retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages, tobacco products in specialised stores.
Supermarkets
Fuels
Wearing apparel
Boutique shops and retail outlets selling garments, sportswear, evening dresses, fur clothing and accessories like gloves, hats and leather belts, etc.
Footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories

Retail outlets selling footwear, fabrics, tailoring accessories and other clothing, footwear and allied products.
Motor vehicles and parts

Retail outlets selling motor vehicles, motor-cycles, bicycles, boats, pleasure crafts and accessories and parts.
Furniture and fixtures
Retail outlets selling furniture and fixtures, mattress and kitchen cupboards, etc.
Electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified



Coverage
Department stores
Department stores.

Retail outlets selling jewellery and precious metal accessories, imitation jewellery and related articles, watches and clocks and luxuries comprehensive stores.
Books, newspapers, stationery and gifts
Retail outlets selling books, newspapers, stationery, gifts, novelties and souvenirs.
Chinese drugs and herbs
Retail outlets selling Chinese drugs and herbs, bone-setting medicated liquors and tonic wines, etc.
Optical shops
Optical shops.
Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified




()
(2) Retail outlets selling records, music and video recordings; works of art and craft; antiques; flowers and plants; hardware, metalware, paints and other building renovation materials; luggage cases and similar articles of leather or leather substitutes; sacks and bags; toys; computer games; other general merchandise; household linen; drapery; rope, cord and netting appliances; carpets, rugs, wall and floor coverings; bamboo and cane products; china, earthenware and glassware; cooking and kitchen utensils, other than electrical; canvas and canvas products; other household articles; sporting equipment; gambling apparatus; umbrellas; paper products; Chinese religious articles; pets and animals (incl. feeds and accessories); fire prevention equipment; other miscellaneous new goods and second-hand goods; and stamp collection shops. Retail sales of goods without the use of a shop-front( 2 ) .
: (1) 2.0 Notes : Revised coverage is in accordance with the HSIC Version 2.0.
(2) 2.0 Retail sales of goods without the use of a shop-front (e.g. via mobile stalls, mail orders, internet and vending machines) are no longer included in various types of retail outlets and are grouped collectively under “Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified” in HSIC Version 2.0.
(1)
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Fruits and vegetables, fresh
Fruits and vegetables, fresh
# Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits #
Bread, pastry, confectionery and biscuits
# Other food, not elsewhere classified #
Other food, not elsewhere classified (P) Chinese drugs and herbs (P) (P) Medicines and cosmetics (P)
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco
Supermarket
Supermarket
Fuels
Fuels
Motor vehicles and parts
(P) Motor vehicles and parts (P)
# Furniture and fixtures #
Furniture and fixtures
# Electrical goods and photographic equipment # # Other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified #
(P) Motor vehicles and parts (P) Electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified
Department stores
Department stores
# Books, newspapers, stationery and gifts #
Books, newspapers, stationery and gifts
Chinese drugs and herbs
(P) Chinese drugs and herbs (P)
Optical shops
Optical shops
Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified
(P)* Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified (P)*
: # Notes : Part of industry in the respective group is no longer included in the retail sector under the new classification. * 2.0
Retail sales of goods without the use of a shop-front (e.g. via mobile stalls, mail orders, internet and vending machines) are no longer included in various types of retail outlets and are collectively grouped under “Other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified” in HSIC Version 2.0.
(P) Part of industry. (1) 1.1
Old classification is in accordance with the HSIC Version 1.1. (2) 2.0
New classification is in accordance with the HSIC Version 2.0.

Concordance table for types of retail outlets under old and new classifications

2 A
ppendix 2
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Means of Obtaining Publications of the Census and Statistics Department
Website

(www.censtatd.gov.hk/tc/page_1273.html)
Users may download statistical publications from the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_1273.html).
Publications Unit of C&SD


A few past issues of C&SD publications are available in print version for purchase at the Publications Unit of C&SD.




The Publications Unit also provides a reading area where users may browse through the latest issue of various C&SD publications on display or through the C&SD website.
The address of the Publications Unit is : 12 19 (852) 2582 3025 (852) 2827 1708 gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk
19/F, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Tel. : (852) 2582 3025 Fax : (852) 2827 1708 E-mail : gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk
Print-on-demand service


While all C&SD publications can be downloaded at the C&SD website, C&SD provides a print-on- demand service, under which a computer print-out copy of a particular publication will be produced at a charge. Users may approach C&SD through the contact information on the title page of the relevant publications for such service.

Contents

Introduction

General observations
:
Table 1 : Value index of retail sales by type of retail outlet
:
Table 2 : Value of retail sales by type of retail outlet
:
Table 3 : Value of retail sales in supermarkets by broad product category
:
Table 4 : Value of retail sales in department stores by broad product category
:
Table 5 : Volume index of retail sales by type of retail outlet
:
Table 6 : Movement of the value and volume of total retail sales
:
Table 7 : Value of online retail sales by selected type of retail outlet

Charts

Appendix 1 Revised coverage of different types of retail outlets
2