Japanese local department stores remained busy witnessing massive queues, as they kicked off their New Year sales. The traditional "hatsu-uri" or first sale of the year saw large crowds lining up in stores, echoing the country's tradition and economic potential. Despite the lingering pandemic and changing shopping patterns, the consumer turnout exceeded expectations, making this a significant economic event in the country.

The first sale of the year, known as "hatsu-uri", is a significant event in Japan. It's part of the New Year traditions where department stores offer ‘fukubukuro’ (lucky bags) filled with undisclosed goods at tempting prices, attracting large crowds. This event contributes substantially to the economy and gives insights into consumer behavior and market trends.

Like Black Friday or Boxing Day sales in the US and UK, Japan's "hatsu-uri" or first sale of the year shows the shopping enthusiasm of the public and indicates the health of the retail business. While online shopping has ascended due to the pandemic, both Japan's hatsu-uri and Western countries' big sales events prove that in-store shopping still holds a charm.