According to the preliminary Current Survey of Commerce statistics for August released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, retail sales rose 2.7% year on year in August, with overall growth supported by strong new-car sales. However, declines in textiles, clothing and personal items and the impact of unsettled weather were also evident.
Retail sales rose 2.7% year on year in August. By sector, automobile sales increased 17.7% and other retail sales rose 5.2%, while sales of textiles, clothing and personal items fell 6.1% and machinery and equipment declined 2.3%.
Strong sales of new models supported the overall increase, while food and beverage sales also rose amid price increases. However, the impact of unsettled weather and weak sales of information appliances also weighed on results.
Year-on-year performance by retail format was broadly positive: drugstores rose 3.1%, department stores 1.9%, large-scale specialty retailers of consumer electronics 1.3%, home improvement stores 1.3%, supermarkets 1.0% and convenience stores 0.6%.
Overall, the results reflected the effects of strong summer new-car sales and rising prices, alongside mixed demand trends in consumer electronics and apparel.