According to the Japan Department Stores Association, same-store sales (80 firms, 226 stores) increased by 0.1% in 2017 over the previous year to 5,953,256 million yen, thus increasing for the first time in three years since 2014.
Duty-free sales regained vigor, and climbed 46.3% to 270.4 million yen, reaching an all-time high for the first time in two years.
2017 apparel sales decreased for the fourth consecutive year with a 2.2% decrease to 1,839,799 million yen. Men’s wear sales turned upward with a 0.4% rise to 399,246 million yen, but those of women’s wear declined by 2.8% to 1,170,342 million yen, along with children’s wear by 1.7% to 141,145 million yen. Sales of other types of garments fell 4.3% to 129,065 million yen.
Sales increased for accessories and personal belongings (up 0.1% to 775,792 million yen) and sundries such as cosmetics, artwork, jewelry and precious metals (up 7.7% to 1,080,132 million yen).