Department stores log higher sales in June as customers return

Jiji Press

17:43 JST, July 2, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japan’s four major department store operators on Friday reported year-on-year sales growth in June thanks to growing customer traffic, as COVID-19 infections settle down.

Preliminary same-store sales at Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co., a unit of J. Front Retailing Co., rose 19.1%, while Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. scored 13.3% growth.

Takashimaya Co. and Sogo & Seibu Co., a unit of Seven & i Holdings Co., saw their sales climb by 12.3% and 7.2%, respectively.

The four store operators’ sales, however, were not as large as in June 2019, before the novel coronavirus crisis.

Luxury items such as watches continued to enjoy strong sales. Sales were also robust for parasols and sunglasses as temperatures rose toward the end of the month.

“We have the impression that people are getting more eager to go out,” an official at Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings said.