Retail sales across the country fell 3.7 percent in June from a year earlier for the 15th straight month of decline, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Thursday in a preliminary report.

Retail sales dropped to 10.67 trillion yen after a 3.2 percent decline in May. METI said the decline is partly attributable to slack sales of summer goods, including air conditioners and clothing.

Sales by wholesalers in June fell 5.1 percent from a year earlier to 37.01 trillion yen, down for the 17th consecutive month