According to the Japan Chain Stores Association (55 companies, 10,550 stores), same-store apparel sales in 2019 dropped 7.1% compared to the previous year to 879.73 billion yen, thus decreasing for 28 consecutive years.
Unseasonable weather had a significant impact with sales decreasing in all four quarters, and apparel sales declined in all categories of men’s, women’s and other garments.
Total sales decreased by 1.8% to 12,432.48 billion yen, thus decreasing for the fourth consecutive year. Sales of household goods decreased, but sales of furniture and interior goods, including beddings, rugs and curtains, slightly rose by 0.9%.
