Hong Kong's retail sales fell 3.2% year over year to HK$35.3 billion in January, partly due to the early arrival of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the city's Census and Statistics Department said Monday.

Of the total sales for the month, online sales comprised HK$2.4 billion, equivalent to 6.9% of the total, and 3.5% higher year over year, the department said.

Net of price changes, total retail sales fell 5.2% year over year.

For December 2024, revised total sales declined 9.6%, the department said.

The retail sector will see changes in consumption patterns, adding measures by mainland China will help benefit the Hong Kong economy, a government spokesman said.