HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Census & Statistics Department announced Monday the value of total retail sales of the city in June was provisionally estimated at HK$31.3 billion ($4 billion), up 28.8 percent over a year earlier.

According to the department, after netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales went up 22.2 percent.

Analyzed by broad type of retail outlet and comparing June this year with the same month last year, the volume of sales of electrical goods and photographic equipment went up most, by 79.7 percent, followed by sales of miscellaneous consumer durable goods (up 74.6 percent), jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (up 45.6 percent). Several other goods categories also registered increases in sales volume in the month.

Meanwhile, the volume of sales of food, alcohol and tobacco decreased by 10.3 percent while that of motor vehicles and parts decreased by 6 percent year on year in June.

The department said local consumer sentiment should hold firm on the back of improving income conditions. On the other hand, the prevailing strength of inbound tourism, will remain supportive to retail business going forward.