Retail sales rose 1.1 percent in 2005 to 129.52 trillion yen, chalking up their first year-on-year rise in nine years, due largely to soaring fuel prices and robust clothing sales, the government said Friday.
The strong clothing sales were attributed to the "Cool Biz" casual dress campaign pushed by the government during the summer and a cold spell.
Sales by wholesalers rose 3.1 percent to 424.32 trillion yen in 2005 for the second yearly increase, pushing combined sales by retailers and wholesalers in the reporting year up 2.6 percent from 2004 to 553.84 trillion yen, up for the second year in a row, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.