Consumers flocked to stores over the weekend to get in some last-minute purchases ahead of the first rise in the sales tax in 17 years on Tuesday.
Some shoppers bought luxury goods at department stores, including watches, jewelry, high-priced cosmetics and kimono fabrics. Others stocked up on daily goods from supermarkets.
Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., which operates department stores nationwide, saw a huge leap in business on the last weekend before the consumption tax climbs to 8 percent from the current 5 percent.
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