Wholesaler sales edged up 0.1 percent in 2003 from the previous year to 452.14 trillion yen, marking the first rise in three years, the government said Wednesday.
Retail sales slipped 1.8 percent to 128.43 trillion yen for the seventh yearly drop in a row.
As a result, combined wholesale and retail sales for the year fell 0.3 percent to 580.57 trillion yen, marking the 12th consecutive yearly decline, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.
The improvement in wholesaler sales was attributed to brisk sales in the machinery and equipment sector, as well as to steady sales in the minerals and metals sectors, which were helped by a rise in crude oil prices following the Iraq war.
The margin of decline in retail sales was smaller than the 3.9 percent drop recorded in 2002, due partly to the improvement in automobile sales, the official said.
Sales at large retailers -- supermarkets and department stores -- fell 1.2 percent to 21.76 trillion yen, marking the sixth straight yearly drop.