JAPAN: Convenience store sales fell 7.3% in July due to bad weather

Sales at Japanese convenience stores fell 7.3% on a same-store basis in July, compared to a year earlier, making July the fifth consecutive month that sales have declined. According to the Japan Franchise Association, the fall in sales was due to fewer customers visiting convenience stores because of a long spell of rain and unseasonably low temperatures in July, reported Kyodo News.

Sales at Japanese convenience stores fell 7.3% on a same-store basis in July, compared to a year earlier, making July the fifth consecutive month that sales have declined.

According to the Japan Franchise Association, the fall in sales was due to fewer customers visiting convenience stores because of a long spell of rain and unseasonably low temperatures in July, reported Kyodo News.

Total sales slid 3.2% to ¥603.15bn (US$5.10bn).

Average sales per customer slid 2.1% on a same-store basis because of weak sales of ice cream and soft drinks.

The association compiled data from 13 convenience store chain operators, including Lawson, FamilyMart and Seven-Eleven.