Local News

The Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry reports that notifications of new outlet openings for large retail stores in Kyushu (defined as having a floor area of 1,000 square meters) in FY 2008 fell 21.7% from the previous year, the second annual decline. In combination with the economic downturn and the series of department store closings, this portends a further deterioration in the ability of core commercial districts to draw customers. The trend has continued into this year, as new outlet openings in April and May were off 36.3% from the year-before period.