Japan's retail sales dipped 1.2% in June

Automobiles saw the sharpest drop in sales at 17.2%.

Japan's retail sales declined 1.2% YoY to $116.11b (JPY12.3t) in June, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Seasonally-adjusted, it grew 13.1%.

Amongst retail businesses, automobile businesses recorded the sharpest decline at 17.2%, followed by fuel (14.6%) and miscellaneous products (11.2%). Textile, clothing and personal items also saw a 6.7% drop in sales.

Meanwhile, sales for machine equipment saw the biggest rise of 15.9%, followed by non-store retail (8.1%) and other sales (4.9%). Food and beverage, as well as medicine and cosmetics, saw growths of 3% and 3.3%, respectively.

Overall, commercial sales value fell 12.7% to $390.65b (JPY41.37t), dragged by a 17.3% fall in wholesale trade value to $274.54b (JPY29.07t).