Sales at department stores in Tokyo slid 2.5 percent in February on a year-on-year basis to 138.71 billion yen for the 15th consecutive month of decline, an industry body said Friday.
Sales at 28 stores run by 13 chains in the 23 wards fell 1.4 percent in January, the Japan Department Stores Association said.
The association blamed the February decline primarily on the persistent slump in corporate demand, as well as particularly cold weather in the second half of the month.
Sales of clothing, the largest merchandise category, fell 1.6 percent to 48.42 billion yen.
But food sales, the second-largest category, rose 0.7 percent to 29.1 billion yen.
Sales of sundry goods plunged 6.1 percent to 23.67 billion yen, while personal goods, including accessories and footwear, edged up 0.7 percent to 16.08 billion yen.
Household goods, including furniture and electrical appliances, fell 5.5 percent to 13.07 billion yen.