The Japanese retail industry recorded around 163 trillion Japanese yen in sales in 2023, the highest value in the past 15 years.While non-food products constitute a significant share of the industry, food and beverages represent the largest segment in domestic retail trade. Retail channels The Japanese retail market is characterized by the strong presence of brick-and-mortar store retailing. Even though the e-commerce sector is emerging, consumers prefer physical stores to purchase everyday goods, cosmetics, and foodstuff in particular. However, non-store retailers are gradually gaining traction as potential customers are taking advantage of fast shipping and efficient customer services. Retail stores Retail stores in Japan encompass a variety of physical stores, ranging from small specialty retailers to large department stores. Within the food and beverage segment, supermarkets and convenience stores, so-called konbini, are the main points of sale for grocery shopping. In the non-food segments, department stores with their broad product range are competing with specialty retailers. Additionally, supermarkets are joining the competition, with fashion items reported as a major revenue source after foodstuff.

The Report Includes Japan Travel Retail Market and is Segmented by Product Type (Fashion and Accessories, Wine & Spirits, Tobacco, Food & Confectionary, Fragrances and Cosmetics, Others), By Distribution Channel (Airports, Airlines, Ferries and Other Distribution Channels). The report offers market size and forecasts for the Japan Travel Retail Market in terms of value (USD Billion) for all the above segments.

In November 2024, the commercial sales in the retail sector reached 14.2 trillion Japanese yen, representing a slight increase on a year-on-year basis. December was the strongest month for retail sales in Japan in 2023, reaching a sales value of around 15.6 trillion yen. Compared to the same period in the previous year, retail sales increased slightly by about 360 billion yen, facilitated by a sales increase at food and beverages retail stores.

In fiscal year 2023, the sales value of do-it-yourself (DIY) retail stores in Japan amounted to just below four trillion Japanese yen. In the last decade, DIY retailers generated stable sales of around four trillion yen, with a peak recorded in 2020 as self-made items grew in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. DIY in the Japanese retail market DIY retailers are commonly known as “home centers” in Japan, which are comparable to hardware stores overseas. Unlike traditional small-sized hardware stores that are commonly family-owned businesses, home improvement centers boast a larger product variety, serving as a one-stop solution for professional handymen and laypersons. Stores stock primarily non-food products, out of which tools and materials used in DIY-related crafts are the main sales segment. Other product segments for home improvement projects include household utensils, gardening products, and electric appliances. DIY stores are categorized as specialty retailers in Japan and represent only a minor segment within the domestic retail sector. Nonetheless, they cater to other consumer demands outside of DIY activities as well, particularly as a major sales channel in the pet market. Calming the heated competition The first large-scale home improvement centers in Japan were opened in the post-war era and within the last decades, the size of the store network grew steadily as it reached a record high of close to five thousand stores in 2022. While many businesses limited their operation to a small number of stores within prefectural or regional borders, the leading DIY stores like Komeri, DCM Holdings, and Kohnan Shoji eyed a nationwide strategy. Through the acquisition of smaller competitors and new openings particularly around the borders of rural areas, the market leaders further varied their brand portfolio by specializing in certain product segments and varying store sizes to cater to different demands.

In December 2023, the retail sales value of food and beverage in Japan amounted to around 4.7 trillion Japanese yen. The Japanese food and beverage sales peaked at the end of the year, facilitated by the increased demand during the holiday season.

"The Future of Retailing in Japan to 2020" is based upon an extensive, cross-country, industry research program which brings together Verdict Retail’s research, modeling, and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. It provides detailed quantitative analysis of past and future trends – crucially providing retail sales data not just by channel and by product, but showing product sales through different channels. This allows marketers interested in retailing to determine how to account for the development of retail trade overall and to know which channels are showing growth for which products in the coming years. Data sets are provided for 2010 through to 2020, with actuals being provided from2010–2015. All initial market sizing and analysis is conducted in local currency in order to ensure local trends are reflected in the data before conversion into other currencies. Read More

In 2024, the retail value of the gifts market in Japan was forecast to amount to around 11 trillion Japanese yen, an increase from less than ten trillion yen in 2015. Apart from seasonal or celebratory gifts, the market includes presents handed out during the Buddhist Ghost Festival (o-chugen) and at year-end (o-seibo).

In 2023, physical goods made up more than half of the business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce market value in Japan, with 14.7 trillion Japanese yen. Digital goods like electronic media and online games reached an online commerce market size of around 7.5 trillion yen. The segment was boosted by the digitalization of entertainment media.

Retail Sales of Multi-Channel Retail in Japan: Market Size, Growth and Forecast to 2021 provides detailed historic and forecast statistics on retail sales from 2011 to 2021 taking place at "Multi-Channel Retail" for each Sector at Market level. However, delivered wholesale sales are not included.
The Market level analytics are provided for the following product Sectors: Read More

"Food & Grocery Retailing in Japan, Market Shares, Summary and Forecasts to 2021", provides data for historic and forecast retail sales, and also includes information on the business environment and country risk related to Japan retail environment. In addition, it analyzes the key consumer trends influencing Japan food and grocery retail industry. Read More

In 2023, the retail market for home fashion in Japan was forecast to reach 3.55 trillion Japanese yen, a slight decrease from the previous year. The home fashion market remained steadily at over three trillion yen within the last decade, with the market value peaking in 2022.

In 2023, the apparel e-commerce market in Japan was valued at over 2.7 trillion Japanese yen. The market size grew steadily since 2014, with major apparel manufacturers adding online stores to their distribution strategies.

Verdict Retail’s, "Retail Sales of Home Furniture and Homewares Retailers in Japan: Market Size, Growth and Forecast to 2020" provides detailed historic and forecast statistics on retail sales from 2010 to 2020 taking place at "Home Furniture and Homewares Retailers" for each category at segment level. However, delivered wholesale sales are not included. The segment level analytics are provided for the following product categories: Food and grocery Furniture and floor coverings Home and garden products Verdict Retail categorizes "Home Furniture and Homewares Retailers" as According Verdict Retail “Home Furniture and Homewares Retailers” are those retailers where floor coverings, furniture and/or Homeware are the main footfall drivers and account for the majority of sales. "Retail Sales of Home Furniture and Homewares Retailers in Japan: Market Size, Growth and Forecast to 2020" report is the result of Verdict Retail’s extensive market research covering the retail industry in Japan. The report acts as an essential tool for companies active across the Japan’s retail industry and for new players considering entering the market. The comprehensive statistics within the report provides insight into the operating environment of the market and also ensures right business decision making based on historical trends and industry model based forecasting. This is an on-demand report and will be delivered within 2 working days (excluding weekends) of the purchase. Read More

Japan TSE: Market Cap: 1st Section: Commerce: Retail Trade data was reported at 40,170.446 JPY bn in Nov 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 38,747.547 JPY bn for Oct 2018. Japan TSE: Market Cap: 1st Section: Commerce: Retail Trade data is updated monthly, averaging 15,681.402 JPY bn from Jul 1993 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 305 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40,790.352 JPY bn in Sep 2018 and a record low of 10,683.986 JPY bn in Feb 2009. Japan TSE: Market Cap: 1st Section: Commerce: Retail Trade data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Japan Exchange Group. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.Z006: Tokyo Stock Exchange: Market Capitalization.

In 2023, the wholesale industry in Japan accounted for the largest share of the domestic business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce market, with a market size valued at around 121 trillion Japanese yen. The domestic B2B e-commerce market grew steadily in the last decade, exceeding 460 trillion yen in 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Business Tendency Surveys: Business Situation: Economic Activity: Retail Trade, Except of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles: Future Tendency for Japan (BRBUFT02JPQ460S) from Q2 1974 to Q3 2024 about business sentiment, Japan, retail trade, business, sales, and retail.

As of March 2023, incumbent utilities (inside area) accounted for an electricity retail market share of almost 80 percent in Japan, making up the largest share. New retailers, which excluded wholly-owned subsidiaries of incumbent utilities, followed with a share of around 16.7 percent.

Post-Christmas, Asian markets rise as retail and tourism stocks thrive, with gains in Japan's Nikkei 225 and increased oil prices boosting the momentum.

Japan vending machine market size reached USD 1,266 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 1,906 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during 2025-2033. The increasing adoption of cashless payment options, the expansion of vending machines beyond traditional products to offer a wider range of goods such as fresh food and cosmetics, and the integration of smart technology for enhanced user experience and operational efficiency are some of the key factors driving the growth of the market.

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, technology, and application.

In 2023, the year-end gifts (o-seibo) market in Japan was valued at 858 billion Japanese yen. The market was forecast to decline to 842 billion yen in the following year. O-seibo is a year-end gift-giving custom in Japan commonly practiced around the first half of December. The underlying idea of o-seibo is to display gratitude towards those, who showed support and kindness to the gift-giver over the course of the year.