Sales of apparel and clothing accessories declined by 8.5 percent year-on-year to 119 billion yen at retail chain stores in Japan in November 2013, according to the data collected by the Japan Chain Stores Association from its 58 member firms that together operate 8,285 stores. The garment and apparel accessories sales decreased mainly due to a drop in winter wear, as a result of warm weather in the first half of the month, the association said. On a same store basis, sales of womenswear fell by 7.6 percent year-on-year to 35.586 billion yen. Formal wear, blouses and shirts saw an increase in sales, while long-sleeve T-shirts, cut & sewn articles, trousers, skirts and jeans sales moved slowly.
Sales of men’s apparel declined by 7 percent year-on-year to 26.731 billion yen during the month. Strong sales were witnessed in suits and over-shirts, while sales were less in coats, jumpers and slacks. Sales of kidswear and clothing accessories decreased by 9.7 percent year-on-year to 56.743 billion yen. Children’s pajamas and men’s socks saw increased sales, while there was not much movement in sales of innerwear, kidswear and seasonal accessories like gloves.
