Japan’s Sept. convenience store sales rise 6.6%, up for 5th month+

Written by Writer on Monday, October 20th, 2008

Japan’s Sept. convenience store sales rise 6.6%, up for 5th month+

TOKYO, Oct. 20 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Sales at Japan’s convenience stores in September increased 6.6 percent on a same-store basis from a year earlier to 624.0 billion yen for the fifth consecutive monthly rise thanks to brisk sales of cigarettes, an industry group said Monday.

Robust sales of cigarettes lifted the overall sales figure, offsetting negative factors such as unfavorable weather in the latter half of September and fewer holidays than the previous year, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.

Since the July introduction of “Taspo” smart cards, which are designed to prevent minors from buying cigarettes at vending machines, many customers have opted to buy cigarettes at convenience stores as they are not required to have the age verification card there.

By item, bread and deserts saw brisk sales but sales of soft drinks and ice cream were sluggish due to the rainy days, the association said.

The number of customers went up 6.1 percent from a year earlier to 1.08 billion, rising for the sixth month in a row. Each person spent an average of 577.2 yen, up 0.5 percent from a year before and marked the second straight month of increase.

The survey covered outlets operated by 11 major convenience store companies.