Japan convenience stores sales in July rise 1.2 pct

Japan's convenience store sales in July rose 1.2 percent from the same period of last year as hot weather led to more demands for beverages and ice creams, local media reported Thursday.

Combined same-store sales of 10 major chains reached 848.51 billion yen (about 6.8 billion U.S. dollars), marking the fourth straight monthly increase, according to the Japan Franchise Association.

A heat wave has swept Japan since July, leading to more demands for beverages and ice creams, the association said, adding that freshly brewed coffee and some fast food also helped boost sales while tobacco products and magazines logged year-on-year falls. Endi