MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan May Retail Sales Slowed Decline

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japanese retail sales slowed down recent sharp falls in May,

helped by improved sales in food and beverages, according to data from the

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Monday.

     Here are the key points from the latest retail sales data:

     --Retail sales dropped 12.3% on a year on year basis in May, slower than

the 13.9% y/y plunge registered in April.

     --General merchandise sales fell 34.9% y/y, following the 42.9% y/y drop

recorded in April. Sales of fabric apparels and accessories dropped for the

eighth consecutive month by 34.3% y/y after falling 54.1% y/y last month.

     --Sales of food and beverages increased 2.2% y/y in May, accelerating from

the 0.3% increase last month. 

     --Fuel sales, another key driver, dipped further by 28.6% y/y, faster than

the previous 22.1% y/y fall. Sales of machinery and equipment declined 3.1% y/y

after rising 3.0% y/y in March.

     --On a monthly basis, retail sales were up by 2.1% in May after the 9.6%

drop in April.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$]