Consumption Trends Based on Credit Cards: Decline Continues in Second Half of February

The second half of last month's index was more than 16% lower than the same period last year, according to a survey that uses credit card usage information to create an index of consumption trends. Due to the declaration of a state of emergency, there has been a continued decline in lodging and eating out.

Nowcast, a data analysis company, and JCB, a major credit card company, have released a privacy-protected index of consumption trends based on card usage information.

According to the report, the index for the period from the 16th to the 28th of last month was 16.4% lower than the same period last year.

Looking at the index by sector

Lodging" was down 46.7%, and

Travel" was down 40.1%.

Eating out" was down 39.1%.

Transportation" was down 36.0%.

Refraining from going out due to the declaration of a state of emergency and shortened business hours at restaurants continued to have an impact.

The company that conducted the survey said, "The slowing pace of the spread of the infection has weakened the tendency to refrain from going out, and there is a possibility that consumption will recover in retail, travel, and some restaurants in the future.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210315/k10012915561000.html?utm_int=news-business_contents_list-items_001