An increasing number of consumers are visiting discount ticket shops to help cut down on expenses as the prices of wheat flour, beer, tissue paper and various other products continue to rise.

A 39-year-old resident of Higashiosaka in Osaka Prefecture said she goes to such shops to get gift certificates to use when purchasing clothes.

"When I use gift certificates from discount ticket shops at department stores, I can buy goods as cheaply as is possible," she said.