Sales of Apparels in Japan Decreased by 2.2 Percent Year-on-Year to 147,139 Million Yen

The retail sales of apparels in Japan decreased by 2.2 percent year-on-year to 147,139 million yen in September 2012, according to the Japan Department Stores Association, which compiles data from 249 stores owned by 86 companies.   The dip in apparel sales was more than the overall decline of 0.2 percent year-on-year witnessed by the stores during the month.   The decrease in garment retail sales during the month is attributed to the extension of hot climate, which negatively impacted the sales of autumn clothing items.   The number of shoppers rose only marginally owing to unseasonal weather marked by heavy rains and two typhoons that hit the country during the month.   While the retail sales of menswear fell by 0.3 percent year-on-year to 25,415 million yen, those of womenswear decreased by 2.6 percent year-on-year to 100,976 million yen.   Kidswear sales, too, dipped by 3.7 percent y-o-y to 9,773 million yen during the month under review.