Four major Japanese department store operators said Monday that their sales in July fell about 15 to 25 from a year before on a same-store basis. Sales were particularly sluggish at flagship stores in big cities, reflecting a surge in the number of new coronavirus cases in Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. Isetan Mitsukoshi saw its sales drop accelerate to 22.6% from 18% in June. Takashimaya sales sagged 19.6%, also weaker than the previous month’s 16.3%. Sales at J. Front Retailing, the operator of the Daimaru and Matsuzakayastores, fell 25.9%. The Daimaru Shinsaibashi store in Osaka took a beating from a slump in the number of travellers from abroad and voluntary restrictions on going out amid the COVID-19 crisis. Japanese retail sales have fallen by 1.2% during the month of June over the same month last year. Sales continued to plummet in categories such as general merchandise, fabrics apparel & accessories, motor vehicles and fuel –although not as sharply as in the month previous. By contrast, sales rebounded for machinery & equipment.