Monday, August 31, 2026
0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Sunday, August 30) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases July retail sales.
Mace News median: +2.5% y/y (range: +1.3% to +3.4%) vs. June revised to +0.6% from +0.5%; +1.6% m/m (range: +0.8% to +1.8%) vs. June revised to -3.9% from -4.1%
By Chikafumi Hodo
TOKYO (MaceNews) – Intensifying inflationary pressure is expected to keep Japanese retail sales on an uptrend for a fifth consecutive month in July, with department store and auto sales showing signs of strength despite signs of a slight slowdown in gasoline and other fuel prices.
Retail sales are expected to rise 2.5% on the year in July, up from a revised 0.6% a month earlier, previously reported as 0.5%. The June figure came below expectations as lower temperatures compared with a year earlier dampened sales across a range of categories, including clothing and appliances such as air conditioners. Government subsidies have capped retail prices of gasoline and diesel, exerting downward pressure on fuel sales.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry maintained its assessment after upgrading it last month, saying retail sales are “on a gradual uptrend.”
On a month-on-month basis, retail sales are projected to rise 1.6% in July following a revised 3.9% fall in June from the initial 4.1% fall.