Retail sales rose 0.2 percent in October from a year earlier to 10.58 trillion yen, posting the first increase in 31 months, due to robust sales of autumn and winter clothing amid the cooler-than-usual weather, the government said Thursday.
Sales by wholesalers expanded 2.5 percent to 37.41 trillion yen for the second consecutive monthly increase, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.
The combined wholesale and retail sales in the reporting month rose 2 percent to 47.99 trillion yen, up for the second month in a row.
Sales of autumn and winter clothing soared in October following sluggish sales in September amid the lingering hot weather, a METI official said.
As a result, sales in the textile, apparel and accessory sector increased 1.2 percent in October, marking the first rise in 63 months.
In addition, brisk sales of cars contributed to the rise in retail sales, the official said.
In the wholesale sector, firm sales in digital home electronic appliances helped keep the figure in positive territory.
Sales by large retailers increased 1.8 percent to 1.81 trillion yen, rising for the first time in eight months.
Supermarket sales in October climbed 3.1 percent to 1.05 trillion yen, the first rise in five months, due mainly to steady sales of casual clothing. Department store sales gained 0.1 percent to 757.8 billion yen, the first growth in 14 months, mainly on firm sales of formal clothing such as coats and jackets.
Convenience store sales rose 2.0 percent in October from a year earlier to 598.5 billion yen, marking the third consecutive monthly increase.
Even though all sectors showed signs of growth, METI left its assessment of retail sales unchanged.