Jewelry Sales in Japan Decline 8.3%

Sales of artworks, jewelry and precious metals declined by 8.3 percent this year in Japan, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Among the other product categories, clothing sales declined by 15.6 percent and personal accessories declined by 12.4 percent, according to data released by the Japan Department Stores Association.

Japan's department store sales in 2009 will drop below 7 trillion yen ($77.399 billion) for the first time in nearly a quarter-century. Sales in the January through November period stood at 5.84 trillion yen ($64.572 billion), down 11.3 percent from the same period last year.

The annual sales figure is estimated at around 6.5 trillion yen ($71.87 billion), a decline for the 12th consecutive year.

"The downward trend might continue until around March next year," said Seichi Iioka, a senior official of the Association. "Orders for year-end gifts and New Year foods are coming in at a firm pace and are on a par with last year's sales but we can't be too sure [about the outlook]."