The Japan Department Stores Association announced on the 19th that department store sales nationwide (85 companies, 243 stores) for May increased 2.6% year-on-year, following a 3.9% increase in March of this year. Department stores in the Tokyo area increased 5.1%, Osaka increased 5.7%, and Nagoya increased 9.9%, for a total increase of 4.3% across all 10 cities, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth. The upward trend continues, thanks in part to renovations, particularly in major cities.
Sales of apparel stagnated in the first half of May due to low temperatures, but a recovery in fashion sales began in the middle of the month as temperatures rose. In the Tokyo area, apparel sales grew strongly, increasing 6.9%, while men's clothing increased 7.8% and women's clothing increased 8.2%. Art, jewelry, and precious metals, continuing their strong performance since the beginning of the year, increased 23.3%. Sales of luxury brand high-priced items remained strong, along with personal items, which increased 4.4%.
Another notable trend was the increase in foreign visitors from Thailand and Southeast Asia due to the weak yen, with sales increasing by 122% and the number of customers increasing by 85.7%, resulting in sales of 3.32 billion yen (based on duty-free sales at 44 stores nationwide), the second highest on record following April.
Sales of apparel stagnated in the first half of May due to low temperatures, but a recovery in fashion sales began in the middle of the month as temperatures rose. In the Tokyo area, apparel sales grew strongly, increasing 6.9%, while men's clothing increased 7.8% and women's clothing increased 8.2%. Art, jewelry, and precious metals, continuing their strong performance since the beginning of the year, increased 23.3%. Sales of luxury brand high-priced items remained strong, along with personal items, which increased 4.4%.
Another notable trend was the increase in foreign visitors from Thailand and Southeast Asia due to the weak yen, with sales increasing by 122% and the number of customers increasing by 85.7%, resulting in sales of 3.32 billion yen (based on duty-free sales at 44 stores nationwide), the second highest on record following April.
