Economic Buzz: Japan retail sales down 2% in February

Japan's retail sales went below investors' expectations in February, down by a 2.0% on a monthly basis to land at ?12.2 trillion (~$76.1 billion), according to a preliminary report released on Tuesday by the country's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

On an annual basis, the sales value went down by 0.2%, as the total value of commercial sales reached ?50.3 trillion, with 0.9% more goods sold compared to February 2025 and 1% fewer month-on-month.

Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted value of sales in the wholesale industry reached ?38.2 trillion, marking a year-on-year increase of 1.3% and a monthly drop of 1.2%.

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