According to a report on December 2016 sales (provisional) at five major department stores in Japan, Takashimaya increased its sales by 0.6% over the same month of 2015, along with Hankyu Hanshin by 1.3%. Meanwhile, sales decreased for Mitsukoshi Isetan (down 1.9%), Sogo & Seibu (down 2.3%) and Daimaru Matsuzakaya (down 2.1%).
Takashimaya increased it sales for the second consecutive month, and enjoyed favorable sales of duty-free goods and high-priced articles thanks to the weak Japanese currency and high stock prices. Duty-free sales climbed 29.8%, as sales of cosmetics and general items such as jewelry exceeded the previous year.
At Hankyu Hanshin, Hankyu Honten posted a 3.9% sales increase (the first increase in 5 months), which pushed up overall sales. Hankyu Umeda Honten increased its sales by 4.3%, thanks to strong sales of women’s wear and sundries.
According to Mitsukoshi Isetan, the December sales decrease was smaller than in November, as women’s outerwear and winter sundry goods sold well. Isetan Shinjuku Honten posted a 0.1% sales increase, thanks to favorable sales of women’s wear, sundries and lifestyle-related articles; it was its first sales increase in ten months.
Sogo & Seibu reported increased demand for Christmas from around December 23rd to 25th, and sales of women’s sundries and food exceeded the previous year. Meanwhile, sales of women’s and men’s coats and knitwear were sluggish.
Daimaru Matsuzakaya reported slow sales of women’s coats, but sales increased for luxury brands, cosmetics and men’s wear.