The total value of goods sold by major department store outlets. As the first non-auto consumption indicator released each month, the Department Store Sales figure can be used to forecast overall household spending. An increase in Department Store Sales signals consumer confidence and growth in the economy. The headline figures are for nationwide sales and Tokyo area sales. The figure does not include auto sales, which are counted separately by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, and is not seasonally adjusted.

Relevance : Rarely affects markets
Release schedule : 5:30 (GMT); monthly, in the middle of the following month.
Revisions schedule : No revisions
Source of report : Japan Department Store Association (JDSA)
Web Address : http://www.depart.or.jp/
Address of release : http://www.depart.or.jp/ (Japanese only)