Sales at Japanese convenience stores rose 0.1 per cent in January from a year earlier, up for the fourth consecutive month.

Industry data shows there were brisk sales of hot food and side dishes.

Same-store sales for eight major chains totalled ¥753.16 billion (US$6.7 billion), the Japan Franchise Association says.

While the number of customers dropped 1.1 per cent to about 1.2 billion – declining for the 11th straight month – spending per customer rose 1.2 per cent to ¥620, up for the 22nd consecutive month, according to the association.

The number of convenience stores increased 2.5 per cent from a year earlier to 54,496.