Sales at department stores in Tokyo rose 2.1 percent in August to 139.91 billion yen for the third consecutive year-on-year increase, the Japan Department Stores Association said Friday.

The increase, adjusted for changes in the number of shops, was larger than the previous month's gain of 0.3 percent and reflected more business days, store renovations, and lower temperatures in late August, which stimulated demand for fall wear, the industry group said.

Sales of clothing, which comprise the largest share of overall sales, grew 0.8 percent to 43.91 billion yen due to strong sales of garments for women and children, and swung back into the plus column from the previous month's 0.8 percent decrease.

Food sales, the second largest contributor to department store sales, increased 2.8 percent to 30.35 billion yen.

The August sales data, which covered 28 outlets operated by 13 department stores in Tokyo's 23 wards, also include 15.41 billion yen in sales of personal goods, such as shoes and handbags, up 6.3 percent for the 10th straight year-to-year increase.

Sales of sundry goods, including accessories, watches and cosmetics, rose for the sixth consecutive month to 24.28 billion yen, up 4.1 percent.

Household goods, like furniture and electric appliances, incurred a drop of 4.6 percent to 15.88 billion yen, with the rate of contraction substantially larger than the previous month's 1.7 percent.

An association official attributed the first three-month streak of sales growth since the August-October period of 1996 to marketing efforts by department store operators.

The official said it is still premature to say personal consumption has begun to increase.