Japan department stores saw their sales fall 3.8 per cent year-on-year last month, continuing the trend from March when sales fell back into negative territory after a short return to growth in February.

According to the Japan Department Store Association, purchases fell in nearly all categories last month, with sundries and cosmetics reporting the best sales growth at a modest 0.7 per cent.

Household electronics sales had the most dramatic reversal, from gains of 10.7 per cent in March to plunging 20.2 per cent last month. Furniture purchases fell 12.5 per cent.

Overall, retail sales were down 1 per cent in March, the weakest reading since December.