December Sees a Slight Decline in Retail Trade

In December, Japan's retail trade experienced a 0.7% decrease from the previous month, settling at ¥16.1 trillion (~$104.4 billion), as reported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Friday.

Annual Sales Paint a Brighter Picture

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

Wholesale Industry Also Shows Growth

The seasonally adjusted value of sales in the wholesale sector reached ¥41 trillion, marking a 3.5% increase year-on-year, indicating a robust performance in this sector as well.