Unpopular taspo boosts store sales

Sales at convenience stores in September increased 6.6 percent on a same-store basis from a year earlier to ¥624.0 billion for the fifth consecutive monthly rise thanks to brisk sales of cigarettes, an industry group said Monday.

Robust sales of cigarettes lifted the overall sales figure, offsetting negative factors such as unfavorable weather in the latter half of the month and fewer holidays than the previous year, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.

Since the July introduction of taspo smart cards, which are designed to prevent minors from buying cigarettes from vending machines, many customers have opted to buy cigarettes at convenience stores instead.