Japan's retail sales slipped 1.8 percent in August from a year earlier to 10.13 trillion yen, following a 1.0 percent rise in July, as strong demand for digital consumer electronics in connection with the Athens Olympics peaked, the government said Wednesday.
Sales by wholesalers rose 5.0 percent to 32.03 trillion yen, for the third straight monthly increase, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.
Combined wholesale and retail sales gained 3.3 percent to 42.16 trillion yen, up for the third month in a row, METI said.