TOKYO - Japan??s convenience stores experienced a 9.5% sales increase last month as high temperatures sent demand for ice cream and beverages skyrocketing, Nikkei.com reports.
Same-store sales reached 745.4 billion yen ($9.7 billion U.S.) last month, the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year increases, according to the Japan Franchise Association. Leading the way was Seven-Eleven Japan Co. with a 10.1% increase in same-store sales, followed by Lawson Inc. (9.5%) and FamilyMart Co. (8%).
In addition to strong sales in ice cream and beverages, sales for boxed meals and prepared dishes rose 7.1%, while overall sales per customer increased 6.9%.