On the 2nd, five major department stores announced their August sales figures, all of which exceeded the same month last year. This was the first time in two months since June that all five companies posted positive figures. The continued heatwaves led to strong sales of summer clothing. As the heat continued, sales momentum continued into the second half of August. Sales of high-priced items like jewelry and luxury brands also remained strong.
Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings' sales increased 8.9% year-on-year. The Isetan Shinjuku Main Store and the Mitsukoshi Ginza Store showed strong growth of over 17% year-on-year, while the Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store also saw a 3% increase, driven by the three flagship stores. Sales of autumn fashion items, such as knitwear, jackets, and coats, as well as midsummer items like parasols, hats, and men's underwear, were also strong.
H2O Retailing's sales increased significantly, by 19.1% year-on-year. Hankyu Umeda Main Store, which boasts an 89.9% increase and Hankyu Men's Osaka, saw a 15.3% increase, posting a 76.5% increase.
J. Front Retailing's sales increased 6.3% year-on-year for Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores combined, and 5.5% for its department store operations combined. Sales of luxury brands, jewelry, furniture, and rugs grew significantly, while full-priced fall items like dresses and men's suits also sold well from mid-month.
Takashimaya's sales increased 0.3% year-on-year for the parent store, and the combined total for the parent and its 18 domestic department store subsidiaries also increased 0.3%. High-priced items like select clothing, jewelry, and art performed well, but women's clothing and accessories fell short of the previous year's performance, and food sales were roughly flat.
Sogo & Seibu's sales for the 34 stores combined increased by just 2.8% compared to the previous year. Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store alone saw an increase of 6.0%. Just-in-season merchandise was active, with mid-summer merchandise selling well in the first half and late-summer merchandise such as autumn-colored summer materials selling well in the second half.
Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings' sales increased 8.9% year-on-year. The Isetan Shinjuku Main Store and the Mitsukoshi Ginza Store showed strong growth of over 17% year-on-year, while the Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store also saw a 3% increase, driven by the three flagship stores. Sales of autumn fashion items, such as knitwear, jackets, and coats, as well as midsummer items like parasols, hats, and men's underwear, were also strong.
H2O Retailing's sales increased significantly, by 19.1% year-on-year. Hankyu Umeda Main Store, which boasts an 89.9% increase and Hankyu Men's Osaka, saw a 15.3% increase, posting a 76.5% increase.
J. Front Retailing's sales increased 6.3% year-on-year for Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores combined, and 5.5% for its department store operations combined. Sales of luxury brands, jewelry, furniture, and rugs grew significantly, while full-priced fall items like dresses and men's suits also sold well from mid-month.
Takashimaya's sales increased 0.3% year-on-year for the parent store, and the combined total for the parent and its 18 domestic department store subsidiaries also increased 0.3%. High-priced items like select clothing, jewelry, and art performed well, but women's clothing and accessories fell short of the previous year's performance, and food sales were roughly flat.
Sogo & Seibu's sales for the 34 stores combined increased by just 2.8% compared to the previous year. Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store alone saw an increase of 6.0%. Just-in-season merchandise was active, with mid-summer merchandise selling well in the first half and late-summer merchandise such as autumn-colored summer materials selling well in the second half.
