The total value of goods and services sold each month at retail outlets. The report serves as a direct gauge of consumption and consumer confidence. Consumer spending is one of the most important leading indicators for the Japanese economy. An increasing number of sales signal consumer confidence and economic growth, but higher consumption also leads to inflationary pressures. The headline figure they release is a year-on-year percentage change in the nominal value of items sold.

Relevance : Tends to move markets on release
Release schedule : 23:50 (GMT); monthly, one month after the reporting period
Revisions schedule : Little or no revisions
Source of report : Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ( Japan )
Web Address : http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html
Address of release : http://www.meti.go.jp/english/statistics/index.html
AKA : Retail Sales