Japan’s Retail Sales Up 1.6 Pct in April

May 30, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's retail sales in April rose 1.6 pct from a year before to 12,001 billion yen, up for the sixth consecutive month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday.

Fuel and drug sales grew, while automobile and department store sales suffered a decline, the ministry said in a preliminary report on sales at retailers and wholesalers.

Fuel sales jumped 11.2 pct thanks to price hikes for petroleum products on the back of higher crude oil prices.

Drug and cosmetics sales increased 4.1 pct, pushed up by strong demand for cosmetics products from visitors from abroad.

Reflecting many sunny days in the reporting month, sales of items to protect skins from ultraviolet rays, including sunscreen products, were brisk as well.

Sales at department stores climbed 0.2 pct. Spring clothing sales were sluggish due to high temperatures, while sales of precious metal products for rich people were strong.

Supermarket sales dropped 0.3 pct due to weak clothing sales.

Combined sales at retailers and wholesalers increased 4.6 pct to 38,709 billion yen, up for the 14th straight month. Jiji Press