TOKYO – Department store sales in Japan dropped 11.3 percent in April to 514.4 billion yen or $5.2 billion, the 14th straight month of decline, according to the Japan Department Stores Association.
Apparel sales of the nation’s 274 stores fell 13.5 percent, the 22nd straight month of decline. Men’s wear dropped 15.8 percent, while women’s wear dropped 13.6 percent against a year ago.
Sales in the Tokyo metropolitan area dropped 11.9 percent to 132 billion yen or $1.3 billion, also the 14th consecutive month of decline.