Domestic commercial sales fell 4.7 percent in July to 46.25 trillion yen from the same month a year ago, marking the 25th consecutive month of declining sales, according to a preliminary report issued Monday by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Retail sales slipped 2.5 percent to 11.77 trillion yen, the 28th consecutive month of decline, with six of seven retail sectors suffering slumping sales.

The ministry said that sales of summer wear and household appliances plunged due to cool weather in the first half of July in some areas of Japan.

A MITI official said that although the consumption slump has hit bottom, he doesn't expect any major improvement in the immediate future.

Wholesale sales dropped 5.5 percent to 34.48 trillion yen, the 22nd straight month of falling sales, with all six wholesale categories posting declines.

Sellers dealing in multiple products saw a 13.5 percent drop, while those of livestock and fish products posted a 7.3 percent decline.

Sales at large retailers fell 3.7 percent from a year before, with department stores logging a 2 percent drop and supermarkets posting a 5.3 percent decline.

Convenience stores, however, registered a 4.6 percent increase in sales to 578.4 billion yen.