According to the Japan Department Stores Association, nationwide sales (73 firms, 203 stores) on a same-store basis dropped 65.6% in May 2020 compared to the same month of last year to 151,542 million yen. The drop was 7.2 percentage points smaller than the record-breaking fall of 72.8% this April.
Amid the emergency declaration made in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the department stores were almost closed completely, and with the gradual lift of emergency declaration measures from the latter half of May, business began to be restarted.
May sales of apparel including accessories fell 74.1% to 34,724 million yen: women’s wear, 19,186 million yen (down 77.5%); men’s wear, 7,427 million yen (down 74.6%); children’s wear, 5,187 million yen (down 51.3%); and other garments, 2,925 million yen (down 66.9%)
Sales of light outerwear, blouses, cut-and sewn articles, parasols and headwear were vigorous. As people refrained from going out, sales of groceries and lifestyle-related products were also strong.
