Japan’s retail sales increased for a third straight month, as easing virus concerns fueled spending by consumers before the emergence of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Sales last month advanced 1.2 percent from October, as shoppers spent more on clothing and motor vehicles, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported yesterday.
Economists had expected a 1.3 percent overall gain.
Spending on clothing rose more than 7 percent from October, as did outlays for vehicles, while sales of food and drink rose 0.6 percent and spending on fuel fell 2.9 percent, the ministry said.
Retail sales rose 1.9 percent more than a year