日本百貨店營業額

Recently the Fuji News Network reported the following:

全国の百貨店の２００９年上半期の売上高は、２００８年に比べ１０％以上マイナスとなり、過去最大の落ち込みを記錄した。日本百貨店協会によると、 全国の百貨店の２００９年１～６月の売上高は、２００８年同じ時期と比べて１１．０％少ない３兆２．１３３億円で、過去最大の下落幅となった。２００８年９月以降の消費者の買い控えで、主力 の衣料品や高額商品の不振が 響いた形。しかし、６月については、売り上げ減少のテンポが緩やかになってきており、 日本百貨店協会は「業績回復の兆」が見られるとしている。

Nation wide sales in department stores in Japan the in the first half of 2009, when compare with 2008, witnessed a minus of over 10%, being the largest drop on record. According to the All Japan Department Stores Association, the drop amounted to 3.2 trillion yen. Since September 2008, consumers refrained their buying, mainly on choice clothing items and high end products. But starting from June, the tempo of slowing down in sales was reduced. The Association felt that there were signs that sales were recovering.

To me, the about report is a good news. Especially after hearing the news yesterday that the unemployment rate in Hong Kong was predicted to continue to climb.