Japan Convenience Store Sales Up 0.7 Pct in April

May 22, 2018

Tokyo- Sales at convenience stores in Japan in April climbed 0.7 pct from a year earlier to 783.6 billion yen on a same-store basis, up for the fourth consecutive month, the Japan Franchise Association said Monday.

Sales of beverages, ice cream and cold noodles were robust as weather was fine with high temperatures across the nation.

The total number of shoppers dropped 0.8 pct to 1,283.46 million, down for the 26th straight month, due to intensifying competition with drug stores that have strengthened their lineups of food products.

On the other hand, per-customer spending rose 1.4 pct to 610 yen, up for 37 months in a row, partly on the back of industry efforts to offer a broad range of cut vegetable products targeting elderly people living alone and working women. Jiji Press