Consumer Sentiment in Japan Is Getting Bleaker, Says EY-Parthenon’s Kobayashi

The video discusses the slow growth of Japan's retail sector, highlighting a 1.2% year-on-year increase and declining consumer sentiment. It examines the challenges faced by Seven & I Holdings, including limited domestic growth and labor issues, while noting potential growth in North America. The impact of a proposed sales tax on consumer behavior is also analyzed, with expectations of a rush on big-ticket items before the tax hike and a subsequent drop in demand.

What does the term 'bleaker outlook' refer to in the context of the retail sector in Japan?

What are the potential effects of the sales tax on big-ticket items compared to day-to-day staples?