According to the Japan Department Stores Association, apparel sales at member stores across Japan fell 4.0% in 2019 compared to the previous year to 1,683.37 billion yen (same store basis), thus falling for the sixth consecutive year.
Sales decreased in all apparel categories of men’s, women’s, children’s and other garment items, and the decreases were sharper than the previous year.
Total sales declined by 1.4% compared to 2018 to 5,754.72 billion yen, which is a decline for the second consecutive year. Among the five main categories, sales increased only for sundries (up 2.7% to 1,154.42 billion yen), as sales rose for cosmetics, artworks, jewelry and precious metals.
Sales of household goods decreased by 2.0% to 229.74 billion yen, but sales home appliances and furniture, which grew significantly due to rush demand before the consumption tax hike, drove sales upward.
Inbound sales rose by 2.0% to 346.1 billion yen, and reached an all-time high for the third straight year. The decline in the number of shoppers was covered by the purchasing unit price.
Among the ten major cities, sales increased for Osaka (up 0.8%) and Nagoya (up 0.1%).
