Sales at department stores in Tokyo's 23 wards rose 2.7 percent from a year earlier in April, the first rise in four months, to 174.9 billion yen, an industry association said Tuesday.
The Japan Department Stores Association said sales were boosted by large-lot orders for office furniture from corporate customers.
Point-of-purchase sales also rebounded, particularly at department stores in central Tokyo, it said.
Sales of cosmetics, watches and similar products were firm, and those of sundry goods rose 6.7 percent boosted by orders for high-priced paintings.
Purchases of household goods jumped 15 percent as a result of stronger selling efforts, and sales of personal items also increased 3.3 percent for the sixth consecutive month of rise, the association said.
On the down side, sales of menswear dropped 4.3 percent for the seventh straight month of decline, and sales fell 4 percent in children's clothing, the second month of decrease.