AsianFin -- Hong Kong's retail sales in October dropped by 2.9% compared to the same month last year, reflecting a shift in consumption patterns, according to government data released on Friday.

Sales totaled HK$32.9 billion ($4.23 billion), marking the eighth consecutive month of decline following a 6.9% drop in September and a 10.0% decrease in August.

The government noted that China’s measures, such as the reintroduction of a multiple-entry visitor scheme for Shenzhen residents traveling to Hong Kong, are expected to boost spending.

In terms of volume, retail sales fell 4.9% in October from a year earlier, an improvement from the 8.7% decline seen in September.