January sales at department stores nationwide increased by more than 15% over the same month of the previous year, up for the fourth straight month.
Sales of high-priced items such as winter clothing and jewelery were strong, but they have not yet recovered to the same month level two years ago when the number of people infected with the new corona began to appear in Japan.
According to the Japan Department Stores Association, January sales of 189 department stores nationwide exceeded the same month of the previous year by 15.6% compared to existing stores.
Sales have increased for the fourth straight month.
In January, although priority measures such as prevention of spread were issued, the movement to refrain from going out spread in part, but the temperature was low and clothing such as winter coats and knits, as well as jewelry and watches were sold. Sales of high-priced items such as these were strong.
However, compared to the same month two years ago when the number of people infected with the new corona began to appear in Japan, sales fell by 18.8% and have not yet recovered to pre-corona levels.
According to the Japan Department Store Association, "The number of customers has started to decrease from the previous year due to the rapid spread of infection, and the situation is at a standstill. Spring, when demand for new life increases through vaccination and the spread of therapeutic drugs. I hope that the infection situation will settle down by the time. "