Department Store Sales in Japan

The year-on-year change in sales at Japan's large retailers (department stores plus supermarkets), on an all-stores basis. It is the figure published as 'Department Store Sales' and forms part of METI's Current Survey of Commerce.

The total value of sales (in yen) at the large retailers surveyed, compared with the same month a year earlier on an all-stores basis (including openings and closures). METI also publishes a same-store basis (a constant sample of outlets).

It is a gauge of discretionary spending and tourist outlays: department stores are highly sensitive to inbound tourism (tax-free shopping), the yen's exchange rate and luxury goods, while supermarkets add the more stable food component.

The all-stores figure is heavily influenced by base effects, calendar effects and store openings and closures; the sample covers only large retailers, not the whole of retail trade. In addition, the first reading is preliminary and is revised in the final release.