TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 1.6% in December from a year earlier to Y1.212 trillion as
consumers remained frugal and mild weather in the first half of the
month winter clothing sales, an industry group said on Monday.
It was the 25th consecutive year-on-year drop in supermarket sales
following -0.5% in November, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.
The last y/y rise in sales was +0.6% in November 2008.
Sales of food in December fell 1.0% y/y, while those of clothing
declined 9.8%, and those of household goods such as appliances fell
0.8%.
The figures are based on combined sales at 62 supermarket chains
which together operate 7,925 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 2.7% from a year earlier in December, down for the 37th
consecutive month, after falling 1.8% the previous month.
The last time sales under this category rose was in November 2007
(+0.5% y/y).
tokyo@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4833 **
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