Year-end Gift Sales Booming

Year-end gift sales booming

Every December people across Japan prepare to head back to their hometowns to spend the New Year holidays with family. But this time, many will be staying put to avoid potentially spreading the coronavirus. To make up for it, people are spending big on gifts to send to their families and friends instead.

Traditionally, people in Japan send gifts known as "Oseibo" as a show of appreciation for the year that's passed. Department store officials say sales of fine wine and meat are booming, lifting holiday gift sales beyond last year's levels.

'snl' Parodies Lexus' December To Remember Sales Event

'SNL' parodies Lexus' December to Remember sales event

We know there are plenty of people out there with more than enough money in the bank to surprise their significant other with a brand-new car for Christmas. And we're also sure that Lexus' annual "December to Remember" sales event must be successful enough that the automaker commits to running it each and every year. But for the vast majority of Americans, the idea of slapping a big red bow on a crisp white Lexus remains little more than a pipe dream.

Apparently, we're not the only ones wondering who is surprising their loved ones with new cars. The crew from Saturday Night Live — Beck Bennet, Heidi Gardner and host Timothée Chalamet — put together a very humorous skit that reminds us of the fact that this December is a wee bit different than past Decembers, and that maybe an expensive purchase could have negative side effects. And in fact, end-of-year sales campaigns from many industries have been reframed as the pandemic rages on.

Japan's Restaurant Sales Fall Again In July

Japan's restaurant sales fall again in July

Sales at Japan's major restaurant chains kept falling in July, as the coronavirus discouraged people from eating out.

The Japan Food Service Association says revenue fell 15 percent from a year earlier. That was the fifth straight month of decline. But the drop was smaller than in the month before, even though it was still in double digits.

Restaurants In Japan Report Sales Slump In June

Restaurants in Japan report sales slump in June

Sales at major restaurant chains across Japan contracted by double digits in June, the first month after the government lifted the coronavirus-related nationwide state of emergency.

The Japan Food Service Association says revenue was 21.9 percent lower than in the same month last year. It was the fourth consecutive month of a year-on-year drop, though the margin was less than in April or May when the emergency declaration was in place.

Japan Sees 29% Dip In New Vehicle Sales Due To Virus Shutdowns

Japan sees 29% dip in new vehicle sales due to virus shutdowns

TOKYO — Japan's monthly auto sales dropped to a nine-year low in April, industry data showed on Friday, after a state of emergency called by the government to contain the national outbreak of the novel coronavirus left showrooms deserted.

In the latest indicator of the widening impact of the virus on the world's third-largest economy, vehicles sales fell 29% in April from the same period a year ago to 270,393, according to data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and an association for dealers of Japan's "kei" minicars.

Toyota Rav4 Sales Hit 10 Million

Toyota RAV4 sales hit 10 million

The Toyota RAV4 is quickly cementing itself as one of the bestselling car models in the world. At the end of February, the compact crossover's total sales since the introduction of the first generation in 1994 crossed over the 10 million mark. Specifically, Toyota had sold 10,080,834 examples. And since the crossover is still on sale, that number will continue to increase.

In comparison to some of the most famous top-selling cars, it's closing rapidly on the Ford Model T, which sold over 15 million examples, and is about halfway to matching the original VW Beetle's over 20 million sales. It still has a ways to go to catch the Corolla, which as of 2016, had sold over 44 million units over the model's multi-generational history.

Honda Closing North American Plants As Coronavirus Slows Sales

Honda closing North American plants as coronavirus slows sales

Honda on Wednesday announced plans for a six-day production suspension at all of its vehicle assembly and components plants in North America, reducing output by around 40,000 vehicles as it anticipates a slowdown in sales due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The temporary closure starts Monday, March 23 at all five of Honda's U.S. vehicle assembly plants, its Ohio transmission and engine plants, and its components plant in Georgia, plus five plants in Mexico and Canada. Honda's current plan is to resume production at all North American plants on March 31.

Online Mask Sales Surge Prior To Resale Ban

Online mask sales surge prior to resale ban

Japanese government officials say a growing number of face masks are showing up on online auction and shopping sites. The surge comes ahead of a legal amendment that will ban reselling the items.

The officials at the industry ministry say hoarders are fetching high prices for the masks, amid a serious shortage.

Sales Of Wheelchair Basketball Tickets Still On

Sales of wheelchair basketball tickets still on

The organizers of the Tokyo Paralympic Games say they will sell tickets for wheelchair basketball as planned despite a warning by the International Paralympic Committee that the sport could be removed from the Tokyo Games.

The IPC issued the warning on Friday, saying that the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation has failed to comply with the IPC athlete classification code.