Major department stores announced their March sales figures. Thanks to the effects of Abenomics, a weaker yen, rising stock prices, and improved economic sentiment, luxury brands and other high-priced items continued to perform well, as they did last month. Sales of spring apparel also increased due to warmer temperatures, boosting sales at each store.

Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings saw a 9.4% increase in sales at Mitsukoshi Isetan stores compared to the same month last year, a significant recovery from the previous month's 0.7% decrease. By store, sales at the Isetan Shinjuku flagship store, which saw a notable effect from its renovation, increased by 16.3%. All five other stores also saw increases compared to the previous year. While Mitsukoshi saw a sluggish 3.2% decrease last month, its Ginza store increased by 10.1% and its Nihonbashi flagship store increased by 5%. Both stores saw increases in sales compared to the previous month, thanks to successful spring apparel campaigns and miscellaneous goods fairs. Furthermore, all 10 of its domestic group department stores saw year-on-year increases in sales. Stores in Sapporo, Hakodate, Nagoya, and Matsuyama, which had posted year-on-year declines in February, also posted positive results.

J. Front Retailing enjoyed a successful "Spring Ultra Thanks Festival," the first joint large-scale sales promotion between Daimaru Matsuzakaya and Parco. Sales of spring apparel, including jackets, pants, and spring coats, remained steady throughout the month. Following on from the previous month, sales of high-priced items, such as luxury brands and fine jewelry, also increased significantly. Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores recorded a 7.4% increase year-on-year. The department store business, including affiliated department stores, also saw a 6.6% increase year-on-year. This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth for both statistics. By store, 13 of the 16 directly managed stores, as well as Hakata Daimaru and Kochi Daimaru, all achieved better than the previous year. Matsuzakaya Nagoya, currently undergoing a major food department renovation, saw year-on-year growth for the fifth consecutive month, thanks to sales of high-priced items.

H2O Retailing also saw sales boosted by spring fashion and luxury brands. The Hankyu Main Store saw a 61.8% increase compared to last year. The Hankyu Umeda Main Store saw a 72.8% increase, up from 63.6% the previous month, and Hankyu Men's Osaka saw a 13.6% increase, up from 4.1% the previous month. Sales have continued to perform well since their grand opening in November of last year. The Hanshin Main Store, which has seen year-on-year declines since November of last year, was unable to recover this month's sales, down 10.1% compared to last year.

At Takashimaya, sales rose year-on-year at almost all stores, thanks to the expansion of high-priced items due to the wealth effect of rising stock prices and strong sales of spring clothing and jewelry. Sales at the 14 stores combined increased 4.9% compared to last year, a significant increase from the previous month's 0.3% increase. Sales at all 18 domestic department store subsidiaries increased from 0.3% in the previous month to 5%. By store, the Tamagawa store saw a 9.1% increase, the Shinjuku store saw an 8.7% increase, and the Nihonbashi store saw a 7% increase, highlighting the strong performance of the Kanto region. Sales of selected clothing and accessories and jewelry both increased by double digits compared to the previous year, demonstrating a recovery in market sentiment.

Sogo & Seibu performed well nationwide, aided by a growing mood of economic recovery. The 24 Sogo & Seibu stores combined achieved a 3.2% increase in sales compared to the previous month, marking the third consecutive month of sales growth. Twenty of the 24 stores exceeded the previous year's figures, including the flagship Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store (105.3% increase) and Sogo Yokohama Store (107.6% increase). By category, in addition to the continued growth of high-priced products such as jewelry and watches, which remain strong, sales also increased across the board in the fashion category, including women's accessories, women's clothing, and men's clothing. The launch of the in-house developed product "Limited Edition Fair" in the middle of the month also boosted sales in women's fashion, with floral patterned pants, which allow for bright coordination, growing strongly, particularly among limited edition products. In the food category, sales also showed a trend of favorable sales for high-priced cherry blossom viewing bento boxes and high-priced sparkling wine.