TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 0.9% in October from a year earlier to Y1.044 trillion,
posting the third straight year-on-year drop, an industry group said on
Tuesday.
But the pace of decline decelerated from -3.6% in September and
-2.2% y/y in August as demand for clothing and heaters was solid, the
Japan Chain Stores Association said.
Lower vegetable prices compared to year-earlier levels pushed down
October sales, an association official said.
Sales of food, which accounted for about 65% of overall October
sales, fell 2.2% on year.
The latest figures are based on the combined sales at 60
supermarket chains which together operate 8,042 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 rose 3.5%, with the pace of increase accelerating from +0.6% in
September.
tokyo@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **
[TOPICS: M$J$$$,M$A$$$,MAJDS$]
