The Japan Department Stores Association reported that same-store sales at member stores across the country (79 companies, 219 stores) in September 2018 decreased by 3.0% compared to the same month of last year to 419,751 million yen, thus decreasing for three consecutive months.
Apparel sales declined by 5.4% to 126,556 million yen, and also decreased for the third straight month.
Coats and other winter garments began to sell from the middle of the month as the temperature declined, but apparel sales decreased across the board. Men’s wear sales declined by 3.6% to 24,856 million yen, along with those of women’s wear by 5.4% to 84,386 million yen, and children’s wear by 5.8% to 8,738 million yen.
According to the Japan Chain Stores Association (58 firms, 10,318 stores), September same-store sales decreased by 1.9% to 1,036,383 million yen. Despite slow sales of apparel, sales of food and household goods were strong and resulted in the increase in overall sales.
Apparel sales decreased by 5.6% to 71,548 million yen: men’s wear, 11,914 million yen (down 6.5%); women’s wear, 19,893 million yen (down 7.7%); and other garments, 39,741 million yen (down 4.1%).
In men’s wear, sales of suits, business shirts, short pants were vigorous, but those of jackets, slacks and outerwear were slow.
Sales of women’s mannish suits and bottoms were strong, while summer formal wear and blouses were sluggish.