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Sales decreased to HK$29.6 billion ($3.79 billion) in the second
consecutive month of decline following a 7% drop in March.
In volume terms, retail sales fell 16.5% year-on-year in April,
compared with a revised 8.7% decline in March.
"The changing consumption patterns of visitors and residents
would continue to present challenges to the retail sector," a
government spokesman said.
"Nevertheless, the revival of inbound tourism, rising employment
earnings, and the recent stabilisation of asset markets would
provide support," the spokesman said, adding the government's
efforts to promote a mega event economy would help.
Eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme allowing their
residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own, rather than as
part of a tour group, in efforts to boost Hong Kong's economy.
The total number of cities in the scheme is now 59.
Hong Kong will host more than 100 mega events, including
entertainment, conference and exhibitions, in the second half of
year.
April visitor arrivals stood at 3.39 million, up 17.3% from a
year-ago period, data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed.
That compared with 3.4 million in March, 4.0 million in February
and 3.8 million in January.
The number of mainland Chinese visitors stood at 2.48 million in
April, up 7.8% from a year earlier. That compared to March's
2.46 million, February's 3.25 million and January's 2.98
million. There are signs tourists are spending less.
Sales of jewelery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts fell 28.7%
in April year-on-year after a 16.6% decline in March.
Sales of clothing, footwear and accessories dropped 24% in April
after a 16.7% decline in March.
($1 = 7.8167 Hong Kong dollars)
(Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and
Sriraj Kalluvila)
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