KONTAN.CO.ID - TOKYO. Japan's retail sales rose for a ninth straight month in July from a year earlier, handily beating economists' forecasts, in a sign private consumption is supporting growth in the world's third largest economy. The 1.5 percent year-on-year increase in retail sales in July was more than a median market forecast for a 1.2 percent annual increase, trade ministry data showed on Thursday. It followed a 1.7 percent gain in June. Consumer spending is picking up moderately with wage growth spreading as labour shortages in an ageing population force companies to increase pay to secure workers.
Stronger Japan retail sales point to consumer sector momentum
KONTAN.CO.ID - TOKYO. Japan's retail sales rose for a ninth straight month in July from a year earlier, handily beating economists' forecasts, in a sign private consumption is supporting growth in the world's third largest economy. The 1.5 percent year-on-year increase in retail sales in July was more than a median market forecast for a 1.2 percent annual increase, trade ministry data showed on Thursday. It followed a 1.7 percent gain in June. Consumer spending is picking up moderately with wage growth spreading as labour shortages in an ageing population force companies to increase pay to secure workers.