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Market Chatter: Nearly 40% of Japanese Department Stores Expect Tourist Sales Growth Despite Fewer Chinese Travelers

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Japanese department stores are increasingly optimistic about domestic sales in fiscal 2026, with nearly 40% of them expecting higher sales, despite a decline in Chinese travelers, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday.

A Nikkei survey found that 38.8% of 49 respondents expect tourist sales to go up, with optimism stronger among stores in major cities, the report said.

Tourists from Southeast Asia, the U.S. and Europe are helping offset a drop in Chinese tourist arrivals, while the weak yen is also supporting spending, it said.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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