Chow Tai Fook sales slip amid consumer uncertainty

Chow Tai Fook sales declined by 11 per cent in same-store sales volume in both Mainland China and Hong Kong & Macau in the December quarter. However the decline in value was less, at 7 per cent in Mainland China and 6 per cent in Macau. Retail sales on the mainland rose by 1 per cent, which seems a modest rate given the company opened 259 new points of sale there during the quarter. Total retail sales value in Hong Kong fell by 1 per cent, despite five new stores opening there.

In a stock exchange filing, the company said the decline in same-store sales came “amid an uncertain macro environment”.

In Mainland China, same-store sales of gem-set jewellery declined by 5 per cent, while the average selling price (ASP) fell from HK$6900 in the preceding quarter to $6600.

In Hong Kong and Macau, gem-set jewellery sales fell by 8 per cent and the ASP from $11,800 to $11,500.

Sales of gold products in both markets was affected by a decline in volume growth as the gold price strengthened, the company reported. That drove the ASP from $7000 to $7400 in Hong Kong and Macau and from $3900 to $4300 in Mainland China.