Watches and Jewellery drive e-payments growth in December 2025

The value of retail trade transactions via electronic payments (e-payments) increased by 10.4% month-on-month to MOP5.12 billion in December 2025, according to a release from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

The DSEC noted that this change was primarily driven by major end-of-year events and festivals, remarking that retailers leading the increase included those selling Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+34.6%).

Also showing significant growth were the transaction values for Leather Goods, Adults’ Clothing, and Department Stores, which rose by 17.4%, 12.9%, and 11.7%, respectively.

In contrast, the transaction value for Pharmacies fell by 19.7% month-on-month compared with November 2025.

Compared with December 2024 (year-over-year), the transaction value for retail trade increased by 6.2%, with Watches, Clocks & Jewellery rising by 24.1%, while Pharmacies declined by 16.9%, DSEC added.

Changes were also noted in the transaction value for Restaurants & Similar Establishments (F&B), with December 2025 seeing transaction values increase by 2.1% month-on-month to MOP1.16 billion.

The most notable rise occurred in the Western Restaurants sector (+16.4%), while Chinese Restaurants and Japanese & Korean Restaurants both saw month-on-month growth of 7%.

Against the trend, Local Style Cafes and Congee & Noodle Shops posted a 9.2% decline.

Despite a stronger December result compared with the previous month (November 2025), the transaction value for F&B establishments decreased year-over-year by 1.4%.

Leading the decline were the transaction values for Chinese Restaurants and Japanese & Korean Restaurants, which fell by 8.5% and 5.5%, respectively. This drop was offset by increases recorded at Western Restaurants (+9.3%) and Fast-food Restaurants (+8.5%).

The statistics on electronic payment transaction values for Restaurants & Similar Establishments and Retail Trade are compiled from data provided by major merchant acquirers in Macau, which account for about 95% of the total electronic payment transaction value, combined with information from DSEC.

Electronic payment transaction values continued to account for approximately 70%-80% of receipts for F&B establishments and retail trade.