Japan's retail sales rose by 0.5% on a monthly basis to land at ¥12.6 trillion (
$82 billion), according to a report released on Friday by the country's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The figure decreased by 0.3% on an annual basis. Commercial sales went up by 1.8% year-on-year, while also reducing by 0.5% on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted value of sales in the wholesale industry was flat compared to the previous month. The figure rose by 2.1% year-on-year.