On the 1st, five major department stores announced their October sales figures. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings and H2O Retailing posted year-on-year increases. J. Front Retailing, Takashimaya, and Sogo & Seibu saw year-on-year declines.
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings saw sales increase 11.9% year-on-year at its Isetan Shinjuku flagship store and 10.2% at its Mitsukoshi Ginza store. Both stores recorded double-digit growth for the third consecutive month, exceeding their year-ago figures for the ninth consecutive month. The Isetan Matsudo store, which reopened after a remodel in October, also saw a 7.2% increase. Isetan Mitsukoshi stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area also saw a 6.4% increase year-on-year, maintaining their strong performance. Despite the high temperatures in early October and two typhoons, fall/winter fashions such as coats, sweaters, and stoles sold well. Food products, such as New Year's dishes and Christmas cakes, also contributed to the increase in sales, with seasonal items getting off to a strong start.
H2O Retailing's Hankyu Main Store saw a 49.3% increase. Of these, Hankyu Umeda Main Store saw a 60.4% increase, and Hankyu Men's Osaka saw a 3.0% increase. Since its grand opening in November last year, Hankyu Main Store has continued to record significant monthly growth of around 50% for 12 consecutive months. The company-wide total, including branches, saw a 13.8% increase.
J. Front Retailing's Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores sales decreased 1.5% overall, and its department store business, including affiliated department stores, saw a 1.6% decrease. Matsuzakaya Nagoya, which continues to benefit from the renovation of its food floor, saw a 4.9% increase, its 12th consecutive month of growth. However, flagship stores, Daimaru Umeda (down 9.2%) and Daimaru Tokyo (down 6.4%), performed somewhat poorly. While Mii Jewelry and luxury brands performed well, the high temperatures at the beginning of the month, particularly in the Kansai and Chubu regions, significantly impacted sales of anticipated fall/winter fashions. Takashimaya saw a 2.4% decrease on a standalone basis. Sales at Takashimaya and its 18 domestic department store subsidiaries were down 2.3%. Stores in the Kansai region, where the heat was particularly intense, struggled, particularly at the Osaka store (down 2.9%) and Kyoto store (down 3.4%). In the Kanto region, the Nihonbashi store (down 3.8%) saw a decline compared to the previous year, while the Shinjuku, Tamagawa, and Yokohama stores maintained better than last year's performance. Due to the high temperatures, sales of men's and women's clothing and men's and women's accessories were down compared to the previous year.
At Sogo & Seibu, Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store saw a 3.2% increase, but sales at all 24 stores combined were down 2.0%. Typhoons and other weather conditions had a significant impact throughout the month. High-quality items such as cashmere knitwear and down coats performed well, but autumn/winter clothing generally continued to struggle. On the other hand, jewelry and art remained strong. Food sales were also strong, with fresh items selling well.
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings saw sales increase 11.9% year-on-year at its Isetan Shinjuku flagship store and 10.2% at its Mitsukoshi Ginza store. Both stores recorded double-digit growth for the third consecutive month, exceeding their year-ago figures for the ninth consecutive month. The Isetan Matsudo store, which reopened after a remodel in October, also saw a 7.2% increase. Isetan Mitsukoshi stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area also saw a 6.4% increase year-on-year, maintaining their strong performance. Despite the high temperatures in early October and two typhoons, fall/winter fashions such as coats, sweaters, and stoles sold well. Food products, such as New Year's dishes and Christmas cakes, also contributed to the increase in sales, with seasonal items getting off to a strong start.
H2O Retailing's Hankyu Main Store saw a 49.3% increase. Of these, Hankyu Umeda Main Store saw a 60.4% increase, and Hankyu Men's Osaka saw a 3.0% increase. Since its grand opening in November last year, Hankyu Main Store has continued to record significant monthly growth of around 50% for 12 consecutive months. The company-wide total, including branches, saw a 13.8% increase.
J. Front Retailing's Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores sales decreased 1.5% overall, and its department store business, including affiliated department stores, saw a 1.6% decrease. Matsuzakaya Nagoya, which continues to benefit from the renovation of its food floor, saw a 4.9% increase, its 12th consecutive month of growth. However, flagship stores, Daimaru Umeda (down 9.2%) and Daimaru Tokyo (down 6.4%), performed somewhat poorly. While Mii Jewelry and luxury brands performed well, the high temperatures at the beginning of the month, particularly in the Kansai and Chubu regions, significantly impacted sales of anticipated fall/winter fashions. Takashimaya saw a 2.4% decrease on a standalone basis. Sales at Takashimaya and its 18 domestic department store subsidiaries were down 2.3%. Stores in the Kansai region, where the heat was particularly intense, struggled, particularly at the Osaka store (down 2.9%) and Kyoto store (down 3.4%). In the Kanto region, the Nihonbashi store (down 3.8%) saw a decline compared to the previous year, while the Shinjuku, Tamagawa, and Yokohama stores maintained better than last year's performance. Due to the high temperatures, sales of men's and women's clothing and men's and women's accessories were down compared to the previous year.
At Sogo & Seibu, Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store saw a 3.2% increase, but sales at all 24 stores combined were down 2.0%. Typhoons and other weather conditions had a significant impact throughout the month. High-quality items such as cashmere knitwear and down coats performed well, but autumn/winter clothing generally continued to struggle. On the other hand, jewelry and art remained strong. Food sales were also strong, with fresh items selling well.
