What changed
2026-07-31 03:02 UTC → 2026-08-06 01:45 UTC ·
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In June 2025, 2025 saw modest gains for Japan’s leading family‑restaurant chains posted modest same‑store sales gains—Sukairaku Holdings up 1.7%, chains—Sukairaku (+1.7% same‑store), Saizeriya up 9.7%—while (+9.7%) and Joyful (+1.4%)—while the broader department‑store sector recorded posted its first year‑on‑year decline in five years, falling down 1.5% overall and 12.7% in tax‑free sales. By June 2026, 2026 the picture remained mixed but tilted toward weakness in other retail segments. mixed. Eternal Hospitality Group reported recorded a 0.6% year‑on‑year drop in total sales, with existing stores down 3.1%, and Yamada Holdings saw its Holdings’ electronics segment fall fell 5.8% despite strong growth in even as housing‑building (+28.5%), finance (+6.0%) and environment (+5.6%). Air‑conditioner (+5.6%) segments rose sharply; air‑conditioner sales fell sharply slumped amid cooler weather and typhoons. The contrasting performance across sectors illustrates the uneven recovery and shifting consumer demand within Japan’s retail market. June 2026 data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed home‑center Home‑center sales declined 6.9% year‑on‑year to ¥274.9 billion, even as the number of stores rose billion despite a 0.5% to 4,577. In contrast, rise in store count, while drugstore sales increased edged up 0.6% to ¥802.5 billion, supported driven by an 11.5% rise jump in prescription‑drug sales, while other categories such as OTC medicines and beauty care slipped. sales. Food sales grew 2.2%, underscoring sectoral heterogeneity. In July 2026 the continued heterogeneity of retail performance trend shifted upward for department stores and apparel retailers. Mitsukoshi Isetan’s flagship locations posted double‑digit gains (up to 16% at Isetan Shinjuku), Takashimaya and Daimaru Matsukazaya also recorded strong domestic growth, and duty‑free sales surged 22‑31% across Japan. major chains. Apparel firms benefited from a summer heat wave: Uniqlo’s domestic sales rose 4.3%, MUJI 9.5%, and several other brands posted double‑digit increases. The latest data illustrate a volatile retail landscape, with some segments rebounding sharply while others remain under pressure.