Sales at Tokyo department stores rose 1.5 percent in November from a year earlier to 191.27 billion yen, the Japan Department Stores Association said Monday.
The rise reversed a year-on-year decline of the same margin in the previous month.
The increase, adjusted for changes in the number of shops, was largely attributable to the favorable effects of sales campaigns and remodeled floor layouts as well as early demand for seasonal gifts. But an association official said department store sales "continue to seesaw."
In November, sales of clothing at 28 outlets operated by 13 department stores in Tokyo grew 1.6 percent to 75.93 billion yen, in contrast to a 2.5 percent drop in October, reflecting a resurgence in demand for winter clothes, the association said.
Although sales of menswear dropped 2 percent, those of women's clothing climbed 3.1 percent.
Food sales, the largest contributor to department store sales after clothing, increased for the fourth consecutive month to 42.8 billion yen, up 2.7 percent. Sales of personal goods, such as shoes and handbags, rose 7.5 percent to 20.77 billion yen in the 13th consecutive year-on-year gain.
Sundry goods, including watches and cosmetics, scored a gain of 0.2 percent, rising for the ninth straight month, to 27.32 billion yen.
However, household goods declined 8.5 percent to 14.21 billion yen, due largely to an 18.4 percent fall in furniture sales caused by weakened large-lot demand.
Looking at results on a three-month comparison basis, the association said sales rose 1.3 percent in the May-July period, 2 percent in June-August, 1.5 percent in July-September, 0.8 percent in August-October, and 0.7 percent in September-November.