Japanese Stores’ Sales &gain; 6.2% Over Year

Sales at 255 major department stores across Japan in February gained 6.2% over a year ago to $4.16 billion, the Japan Department Stores Association reported.

The association said the steady growth was attributable to robust personal spending.

There were fewer workdays in the month because stores were closed Feb 24, the day of the funeral of Emperor Hirohito.

Sales of audio-visual equipment decreased 3.5% because of purchase restraint ahead of tax reductions that start April 1, they said.