Retail Trade Sees Slight Decline in December

In a recent report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan's retail trade experienced a 0.7% decrease in December, dropping to ¥16.1 trillion (~$104.4 billion) compared to the previous month.

Annual Sales Show Significant Increase

Despite the monthly dip, the annual sales value saw a 3.7% increase, with the total value of commercial sales reaching ¥57.2 trillion. This represents a 3.6% rise in the volume of goods sold compared to December 2023.

Wholesale Industry Growth

The seasonally adjusted value of sales in the wholesale industry also showed positive growth, reaching ¥41 trillion, which marks a 3.5% increase year-on-year.