December Sees a Dip in Japan's Retail Sales

In a recent report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, it was revealed that Japan's retail trade experienced a 0.7% decrease in December, settling at ¥16.1 trillion (~$104.4 billion).

Year-on-Year Growth Despite Monthly Decline

Despite the monthly downturn, the annual figures tell a different story. The sales value saw a 3.7% increase, with the total value of commercial sales hitting ¥57.2 trillion. This represents a 3.6% rise in the volume of goods sold compared to December 2023.

Wholesale Industry Shows Resilience

On a brighter note, the wholesale industry displayed resilience with the seasonally adjusted value of sales reaching ¥41 trillion, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year.