Sales at department stores nationwide last month = April were down 27.7% compared to the same period when the new coronavirus was unaffected.
This is because stores in areas where emergency declarations have been declared continue to be closed or shortened.
According to the Japan Department Stores Association, last month's sales at 192 department stores nationwide increased 67% from the same month last year compared to existing stores.
This is due to the reaction that most stores nationwide were closed or shortened in the first emergency declaration last April.
However, it decreased by 27.7% compared to April when it was not affected by the new coronavirus.
The situation is still severe due to the fact that stores in areas where emergency declarations have been declared are closed or closed for shorter hours.
In the department store industry, the mid-year sales season is about to begin in earnest, but each company wants to introduce new sales methods such as online relay sales and strive to secure sales.