Major department store companies
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, sales of major department stores during the Chinese New Year holidays to foreign travelers fell significantly by 5% to 15% compared to last year.
Five major department stores have announced “tax-free sales” to foreign travelers for seven days from the 24th to the 30th of last month during the Chinese New Year holiday.
Compared to last year's holidays last year, Sogo / Seibu decreased by about 15%, Takashimaya decreased by 14.7%, Mitsukoshi Isetan and Hankyu Hanshin Department Store in the downtown area decreased by about 10%, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya department store decreased by about 5% .
All companies reported that the spread of the new coronavirus had an effect on Chinese travel agencies, which had stopped group travel to Japan and other destinations since the 27th of last month at the request of the Chinese government.
In addition, overall sales for the month were down last month as apparel sales were weak in the warm winter months.
J. who develops Daimaru and Matsuzakaya Front Retailing decreased 5.5%, Sogo / Seibu 3.6%, Mitsukoshi Isetan 3.5%, Takashimaya 2.7%, and Hankyu Hanshin Department Store 1.8%, respectively, compared to the same month in the previous year.
A representative of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings said, "If the spread of the new coronavirus continues, there is no doubt that consumer sentiment in Japan will decline. I want to watch the situation."