Sluggish Sales but Only Green Consumers Active

The Japanese Department Stores Association announced last week that sales at all department stores are down 11.5% compared to sales during the same month last year. The last time double-digit negative growth was recorded was 11 years ago. The Japan Chain Stores Association announced Monday that Feb. supermarket sales were down 5.4%, continuing in to the third straight month of decline.

On the other hand, green products have remained healthy. Insight, the new Honda hybrid, has been selling hot off the shelf since its launch. The number of installed solar-power systems are estimated to jump 61% to 92,000 in 2009, and then expand to nearly 150,000 in 2010 according to Sharp Co., a major solar panel manufacturer.