According to the latest data released by the Hong Kong government, retail sales in Hong Kong fell by 6.9% in September, reaching HK$29.6 billion ($3.78 billion), the seventh consecutive month of decline. However, this was an improvement compared to August, when retail sales had dropped by 10%. A government spokesperson stated that the retail sector’s performance in the short term will continue to be affected by changes in consumption patterns among both residents and visitors. According to data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the number of visitors to Hong Kong in September reached 3.06 million, a 10.5% YoY increase, though lower than the 4.45 million visitors in August and 3.92 million in July. Among these, mainland Chinese visitors accounted for 2.29 million, a 6.1% YoY increase. In terms of product categories, retail sales of jewelry, watches, and luxury gifts fell by 17.9% YoY in September, an improvement from the 24.4% decline in August. Sales of clothing, footwear, and related products dropped by 8% in September, slightly better than the 12.6% decline in August.