date:Aug 22, 2013
Japan's supermarket sales in July fell 0.5 percent on yearly basis, down for the first time in two months, Japan Chain Stores Association said Wednesday.
The total sales of 8,123 stores operated by 57 supermarket chains reached 1,078.9 billion yen due to weaker sale of clothing and household appliances, according to the industry group.
Food sales increased 1.0 percent, the second straight month up, while clothing sales dropped 7.6 percent.