Supermarket sales dipped 1.0 percent year on year in April on a same-store-basis, extending its decline to 16 consecutive months as low temperatures in northern and eastern Japan dampened sales of early summer clothes, an industry group said Tuesday.
Sales at 8,800 outlets run by the 83 members of the Japan Chain Stores Association fell to 1.16 trillion yen but inched up 1.5 percent on an all-store basis.
On a same-store basis, sales of food, which make up 59.9 percent of all supermarket sales, dipped 0.4 percent due in part to poor shipments of vegetables, beef and noodles.
Clothing sales fell 3.6 percent as early summer items languished from the unseasonably cool weather.