TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 0.3% in September from a year earlier to Y980.96 billion as
record heat waves dampened demand for autumn goods while supporting
sales of summer clothing, beverages and air conditioners, an industry
group said on Friday.
It was the 22nd consecutive year-on-year drop in supermarket sales
following -1.1% in August as consumers remained frugal, the Japan Chain
Stores Association said.
But sales of food in September rose 1.2%, marking the first on-year
rise in 20 months.
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 7,865 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 August, down for the 34th
consecutive month after falling 3.5% 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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