— See Separate Table For Details Of Individual Forecasts

TOKYO (MNI) – Japanese retail sales in December are expected to
show a 2.0% gain on the year, posting the first y/y rise in two months,
after a revised -2.2% in November and +1.9% in October, according to the
median forecast of economists polled by Market News International.

The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry will release the data at
0850 JST on Friday, Jan. 27 (2350 GMT Thursday).

December retail sales are seen stronger than in November as lower
temperatures boosted demand for winter clothing last month. Combined
department store sales rose 0.8% y/y in December, marking the first
gain in six months, industry data showed.

skodama@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4838 **

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