Retail sales in Japan fell 2.2 percent in 2001 for the fifth straight year of decline, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday.
Combined with wholesale sales, total commercial sales fell 2.5 percent, the 10th straight year of decline, the ministry said in a preliminary report.
Sales by large retailers -- department stores and supermarkets -- fell 3 percent on a same-store basis, also for the 10th year in a row. Convenience store sales dropped 1.7 percent for the second consecutive year of decline.