Sales at convenience stores in April dropped 3.7 percent from a year earlier on a same store basis to ¥587.72 billion, extending their losing streak to an 11th straight month.
The Japan Franchise Association said Thursday the April drop was attributable to rainy and cloudy weather that reduced the number of customers.
People bought an average of ¥562.9 per visit, down 1.9 percent and the 17th month running the figure has fallen.
Sales of food items consumed on a daily basis at all stores of the 10 major convenience store chains covered by the survey, including boxed lunches, bread and rice balls, fell 2.6 percent from a year earlier, the association said.
But sales of nonfood products such as magazines, clothing and stationery eked out a 0.5 percent gain.