Japanese Department Store Duty-Free Sales Decline Or Attributable To Chinese Buyers

April national department store

Sales fell by 9.3% over the same period last year, the first time in 3 years and 3 months.

This may be influenced by China's tariff increases on overseas purchases and the recent yen appreciation, which has led to the cooling down of Chinese tourists.

In particular, high priced commodities such as jewellery and watches are in the doldrums.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the department stores increased by 7.8% over the same period last year, maintaining a good trend, but the per capita consumption volume dropped by 15.9% over the same period last year.

The Japanese Department Store Association's special commissioner, near inner philosophy, also said that "the per capita consumption is reduced, and it may still be lower than the same period last year".

The peak of demand may have passed.

From different regions,

A total of 18 regions, including 10 major cities such as Osaka and other regions, showed negative growth.

This is the first time since last March, when the base effect of the consumption tax was added to tax.

Affected by the Xiongben earthquake, sales in Fukuoka dropped by 5.2%, and in other parts of Kyushu fell by 12.9%.

From different commodities, clothing decreased by 6.3%, and shoes and bags and other daily necessities decreased by 6%.

Art and jewellery also fell by 7.1%.

The sales volume of national department stores, including duty-free products, was 3.8% lower than that of the original stores, which showed a negative growth for two consecutive months.

The appreciation of the yen and the fall of the stock market have hurt consumers' desire to buy.