Supermarket sales increase for the first time in 5 months Growing food sales growth New Corona March 24 18:01
Last month's sales at major supermarkets across the country rose 4.1% compared to the same month last year, up for the first time in five months. Industry groups have attributed to increased sales of groceries due to an increase in the number of people spending time away from home to prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus.
According to the Japan Chain Stores Association, which makes supermarkets nationwide, the sales of about 10,500 supermarkets nationwide last month totaled over 9376 billion yen, compared to the same month last year when comparing stores that continue to operate. This is a 4.1% increase.
The year-on-year increase in sales is the first time in five months since last September, just before the consumption tax hike.
This was due to the fact that February was one more day in a leap year, and that sales of foodstuffs such as rice and frozen food were strong.
The Japan Chain Stores Association believes that more people spend more time at home to stay out of home or work more widely at home to prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus, which has led to an increase in food sales.
Atsushi Inoue, Managing Director of the Japan Chain Stores Association, said, "This month we are seeing a series of self-restraints and temporary school closures, and more people are staying at home. As we cannot see how long this special situation will last, the whole economy will be damaged. If so, there is concern that consumption will decline. "