Average monthly expenses of households in Japan 2019, by shopping channel

In 2019, households in Japan spent on average almost 37 thousand Japanese yen per month on goods and services at supermarkets. Brick-and-mortar stores represented the main points of purchase for Japanese households, while only close to five thousand yen in household expenditures were attributed to online mail-order on average.

Supermarkets in Japan

Supermarkets are a major distribution channel in Japan, with around five thousand stores supplying consumers in the country. General stores are stocked with a variety of daily necessities including fresh and durable food, toiletries and hygiene products, household goods as well as fashion items. Small corners for ready-to-eat items like fried snacks, roasted sweet potato, and lunch boxes (bento) are a common sight in large stores. While major supermarket chains are leading the sector with their extensive product range and broad store network, local stores are generally found in suburban and rural areas.

Japanese spending behavior

The largest share of final consumption expenditures in Japan is spent on services like public transportation, housing, and medical fees. Nondurable goods like foodstuff and toiletries represent the main categories among physical goods. While Japanese consumers value high-quality products, prices remain a major factor influencing purchase decisions, with gradual tax hikes and rising consumer prices in recent years raising the focus on the price tag.