Japan Nov Retail Sales Rise Less Than Expected

(RTTNews) - Retail sales in Japan increased at a slower than expected rate in November, figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed Friday.

Retail sales rose 0.4 percent year-on-year in November, less than the 1.1 percent growth expected by economists. In October, sales had advanced 1.4 percent.

On a month-over-month basis, retail sales fell 0.3 percent. This belied expectations for a 0.2 percent rebound.

Sales from large retailers added 1.2 percent year-on-year in November, more than the 0.6 percent increase expected by economists. In October, sales had remained flat.