On the 20th, the Japan Department Stores Association announced an overview of department store sales nationwide and in the Tokyo area for July. According to the report, total sales nationwide totaled ¥559.7 billion, down 2.5% from the same month last year. While this was the first decrease in three months, the cumulative growth rate for June and July, which smoothed out fluctuations in sales periods and holiday periods, was a solid 2.0%, maintaining a solid performance.
Unstable weather, including a dry rainy season along the Pacific coast and heavy rains in Tohoku and Western Japan, the backlash from moving up summer sales to the end of June, and one fewer holiday day than last year all impacted sales for summer clothing. "Clothing" sales were down 7.3%, and "personal items" sales were down 2.3%. "Art, Jewelry, and Precious Metals" recorded a significant increase of 14.2%, and midsummer items like UV cosmetics, parasols, and sunglasses also performed well. However, sales for July alone were below last year's figures. By region, sales were down in all regions except Osaka, where expansions and renovations had a significant impact.
Total department store sales in the Tokyo area totaled ¥139.3 billion, down 1.0% from the same month last year. This was the first decrease in seven months. This was lower than the national department store sales figure due to the significant impact of expansions and renovations at several stores. Smoothing out variables, the cumulative figure for June and July showed a strong growth rate of 3.9%.
Clothing sales in the Tokyo area were also sluggish, but "Other Clothing," including cool bedding and yukata, performed well, increasing 3.8%. "Furniture" sales also surged, increasing 4.7%, driven by the booming housing market. "Cosmetics," which has been increasing for 12 consecutive months, increased by 5.5%, and "Art, Jewelry, and Precious Metals," which has been increasing for 7 consecutive months, increased by 18.6%, showing no signs of slowing down. Incidentally, as of mid-August, business conditions were trending at a 5-6% increase. Due to the effects of the scorching heat every day, mid-summer products are selling briskly.
Unstable weather, including a dry rainy season along the Pacific coast and heavy rains in Tohoku and Western Japan, the backlash from moving up summer sales to the end of June, and one fewer holiday day than last year all impacted sales for summer clothing. "Clothing" sales were down 7.3%, and "personal items" sales were down 2.3%. "Art, Jewelry, and Precious Metals" recorded a significant increase of 14.2%, and midsummer items like UV cosmetics, parasols, and sunglasses also performed well. However, sales for July alone were below last year's figures. By region, sales were down in all regions except Osaka, where expansions and renovations had a significant impact.
Total department store sales in the Tokyo area totaled ¥139.3 billion, down 1.0% from the same month last year. This was the first decrease in seven months. This was lower than the national department store sales figure due to the significant impact of expansions and renovations at several stores. Smoothing out variables, the cumulative figure for June and July showed a strong growth rate of 3.9%.
Clothing sales in the Tokyo area were also sluggish, but "Other Clothing," including cool bedding and yukata, performed well, increasing 3.8%. "Furniture" sales also surged, increasing 4.7%, driven by the booming housing market. "Cosmetics," which has been increasing for 12 consecutive months, increased by 5.5%, and "Art, Jewelry, and Precious Metals," which has been increasing for 7 consecutive months, increased by 18.6%, showing no signs of slowing down. Incidentally, as of mid-August, business conditions were trending at a 5-6% increase. Due to the effects of the scorching heat every day, mid-summer products are selling briskly.
