Japan Jan Supermarket Sales -0.1% Y/Y, Down 26th Month In Row

TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 0.1% in January from a year earlier to Y1.087 trillion,
posting the 26th straight y/y drop as consumers remained frugal, an
industry group said on Tuesday.

But the pace of year-on-year decline slowed from -1.6% in December
as freezing temperatures in many regions led to brisk sales of winter
clothing and food, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.

The last y/y rise in sales was +0.6% marked in November 2008.

The figures are based on the combined sales at 62 supermarket
chains which together operate 7,919 outlets. The numbers have been
adjusted to facilitate comparison on a same-store basis.

Including sales at stores newly opened during the past year,
revenue fell 1.4% on year, down for the 38th consecutive month, after
falling 2.7% in December.The last time sales under this category rose
was in November 2007 (+0.5% y/y).

tokyo@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4833 **

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