— Japan May Supermarket Sales -1.7% Y/Y Vs Apr -1.9%

TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a
year fell 1.7% in May from a year earlier to Y1.04 trillion, posting the
third straight y/y drop after -1.9% in April, an industry group said on
Friday.

Stormy weather conditions and low temperatures as well fewer public
holiday compared with May last year led to the sales decline, the Japan
Chain Stores Association said.

In February, supermarket sales marked the first y/y gain in seven
months on the leap-year effects and solid winter clothing sales.

The latest figures are based on the combined sales at 57
supermarket chains which together operate 7,784 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 2.0% in May after falling 2.3% in April.

tokyo@marketnews.com
** MNI Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **

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