Sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts rose
21% to $2.05 billion (HKD 16.1 billion) in January and February, Hong Kong’s
Census and Statistics Department reported Tuesday. It was one of the
highest-grossing retail categories, second only to the combined “other consumer
goods” segment.
The municipality’s total retail sales for the period — which
included the Chinese New Year — increased a provisional 16% by value year on
year, coming to $11.48 billion (HKD 90.13 billion).
The growth reflects an improvement in employment and income
conditions, as well as an increase in the rate of tourism, a government
spokesperson said.
“The outlook for retail sales should remain positive in the
near term,” the spokesperson added.
Image: ShingWong –
commonswiki