Japanese department store sales recover but fashion falls

It may only have been a 0.7% rise but an uplift in Japanese department store comparable sales during April was welcome nonetheless. It was the first increase in 14 months and reflected data from 229 stores based on ¥452.7bn worth of sales.

The Japan Department Stores Association said the growth was boosted by foreign tourists as sales to international shoppers surged 22.9% to a record level of ¥22.1bn.

And cosmetics were strong with their 25th consecutive monthly jump as they rose an impressive 15.2%. Jewellery and other luxury goods grew only 1.1% and that was on the back of higher prices. But as they hadn’t risen for at least the previous year, it was good news.

Yet there had to be bad news too and that came on the fashion front. Clothing sales fell 1.2% for their 18th drop in a row, although steady demand for spring collections helped temper the drop after March had seen a 4.6% decline.

Meanwhile, the Japan Chain Stores Association said supermarket sales rose 0.6% last month, aided by a slight recovery in clothing sales through those outlets. They may have only risen 0.2% but that was the first rise for nine months.