Retail sales in Japan increased 1.7% yoy in March 2026, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.1% drop in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 0.8% gain. The latest result highlighted the government's efforts, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales increased in automobiles (9.0%), other retail goods (5.2%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), department stores (1.4%), machinery and equipment (0.7%), and food and beverages (0.4%). In contrast, sales declined in fuel (-4.1%), clothing and personal goods (-3.3%), and non-store retail (-2.5%). On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 1.3%, rebounding from a 2.0% fall in February. source: Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry (METI)

Retail Sales in Japan increased 1.70 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Japan averaged 4.18 percent from 1971 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 36.50 percent in January of 1979 and a record low of -14.30 percent in March of 1998. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Retail Sales YoY - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Retail Sales - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Retail Sales in Japan increased 1.70 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Japan is expected to be 2.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Retail Sales is projected to trend around 1.80 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-30 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
Feb -0.2% 1.8% 0.8% 1.5%
2026-04-29 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
Mar 1.7% -0.1% 0.8% 2.1%
2026-05-29 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
Apr 1.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 3.00 2.80 percent Apr 2026
Consumer Confidence 32.20 33.30 points Apr 2026
Consumer Credit 58802.70 57221.70 JPY Billion Dec 2025
GDP Private Consumption 309442.20 309116.20 JPY Billion Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 490.52 432.71 JPY Thousand Feb 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.06 1.07 USD/Liter Apr 2026
Household Spending YoY -1.80 -1.00 percent Feb 2026
Household Spending MoM 1.50 -2.50 percent Feb 2026
Households Debt to GDP 61.10 61.30 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Personal Savings 3.90 0.00 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales MoM 1.30 -2.00 percent Mar 2026
Retail Sales YoY 1.70 -0.10 percent Mar 2026


Japan Retail Sales
In Japan, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1.70 -0.10 36.50 -14.30 1971 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
Japan Retail Sales Rise More than Expected
Retail sales in Japan increased 1.7% yoy in March 2026, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.1% drop in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 0.8% gain. The latest result highlighted the government's efforts, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales increased in automobiles (9.0%), other retail goods (5.2%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), department stores (1.4%), machinery and equipment (0.7%), and food and beverages (0.4%). In contrast, sales declined in fuel (-4.1%), clothing and personal goods (-3.3%), and non-store retail (-2.5%). On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 1.3%, rebounding from a 2.0% fall in February.
2026-04-29
Japan Retail Sales Unexpectedly Drop
Retail sales in Japan fell 0.2% yoy in February 2026, reversing a 1.8% growth in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 0.8% gain. The latest result highlighted pressures from rising costs despite recent fiscal support from Tokyo. Turnover declined in fuel (-14.1%), non-store sales (-4.2%), and clothing and personal goods (-3.1%). In contrast, gains were recorded in other retail goods (4.0%), automobiles (3.8%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (3.7%), department stores (1.9%), machinery and equipment (1.6%), and food and beverages (0.8%). On a monthly basis, retail trade declined 2.0%, reversing a downwardly revised 3.0% increase in January.
2026-03-31
Japan Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise
Retail sales in Japan rose 1.8% yoy in January 2026, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month and beating market forecasts for a 0.4% fall. It marked the fastest growth since last June, boosted by recent fiscal stimulus measures from Tokyo, including targeted consumption vouchers and tax incentives designed to encourage household spending. Sales expanded for machinery and equipment (12.4%), automobiles (9.6%), other retail goods (3.0%), department stores (2.8%), food and beverages (1.8%), and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (1.7%). In contrast, turnover declined for fuel (-7.3%), non-store sales (-5.3%), and clothing and personal goods (-2.1%). On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 4.1%, reversing a 2.0% decline in December and marking the strongest pace since September 2019.
2026-02-27