TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 1.1% in August from a year earlier to Y1.04 trillion as record
heat waves dampened demand for autumn goods while supporting sales of
summer clothing, beverages and air conditioners, an industry group said
on Wednesday.
It was the 21st consecutive year-on-year drop in supermarket sales
following -1.2% in July as consumers remained frugal, the Japan Chain
Stores Association said.
The last y/y rise in sales was +0.6% marked in November 2008.
The figures are based on the combined sales at 62 supermarket
chains which together operate 7,853 outlets. The numbers have been
adjusted to facilitate comparison on a same-store basis.
Including sales at stores newly opened during the past year,
revenue fell 3.5% from a year earlier in August, down for the 33rd
consecutive month after falling 3.3% the previous month. The last time
sales under this category rose was in November 2007 (+0.5% y/y).
tokyo@marketnews.com
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