Sales at restaurant chains in Japan fall 1.6% year-over-year in October, the first decline in six months, amid decrease in customer traffic due to bad weather, industry association says

Nevin Barich

TOKYO , November 26, 2013 (Jiji Press) – Sales at restaurant chains in Japan in October fell 1.6 pct from a year before, down for the first time in six months, the Japan Food Service Association said Monday.

The drop reflected a decrease in the number of customers caused by bad weather nationwide, including a series of typhoons.

Sales at fast food restaurants fell 3.4 pct as the number of customers dropped by 11.6 pct, mainly due to price hikes by McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) and Mos Food Services Inc. hamburger chains between September and October.

Sales at family restaurants rose 2.2 pct, up for the sixth straight months, with high-priced meals selling well other than Chinese cuisine.

At pubs, beer halls and "izakaya" eateries, sales decreased 7.9 pct, reflecting sluggish customer numbers due to bad weather.END

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