Retailers in Tokyo began opening their doors last week, but some will continue to wait.

The country had a record number of consecutive days without sunshine, as well as unseasonably cool temperatures.

One fewer weekend day compared with the same month last year also posed a challenge for many stores.

The company’s bottom line was boosted by a very low comparative base.

Lower-priced retailers focusing on basics did not fare well, due to warm weather throughout the month.

The 6.1-magnitude earthquake damaged buildings, toppled furniture, and halted transportation services

An extraordinary loss related to restructuring cut into the company’s bottom line.

Cold weather helped to move winter items out shop doors, but snow kept customers from shopping.

Foreign exchange factors hit the company’s bottom line, despite higher sales and lower expenses.

Earlier-than-usual summer clearance sales, as well as strong demand from overseas visitors, contributed to the rise.

Sales at discount stores fell in Japan in December, while most department stores saw slight increases.

Operating profits for Japan’s largest department store operator dropped 20 percent.

October sales declined at retailers including Uniqlo, Isetan, Takashimaya and Hankyu.

The Japanese department store operator blamed lower sales, rising costs and a change in its membership card system.

Revenues at Fast Retailing were down, while those at H2O Retailing were up during the month.