Japan March Duty-Free Sales Rebound as China Driven Slump Eases

Duty-free sales at Japan’s top department stores rose in March, signaling a tentative rebound after months of weakness tied to a drop in Chinese tourist spending.

Takashimaya Co. reported a 6.9% year-on-year increase in duty-free sales, with same-store sales climbing 9.1%. J Front Retailing Co. said tax-free sales at its Daimaru Matsuzakaya store rose 10.3%, lifting its overall department store revenue by 4.6%.