The T-Point Price Index for March 2020 rose for the first time in six months, rising 0.54 points from the previous month and down 0.13% from the same month last year.

2020.04.08 Press Releases
CCC MK HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. / Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

The largest increase was for men aged 60-79 at 0.79%, while the smallest was for women aged 20-39 at -1.34%.

CCC Marketing Co., Ltd. and Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd., which operate marketing platform businesses, have announced the "T-POINT Price Index" (hereinafter "TPI"), a price index that utilizes T-POINT data, as part of a joint project with the Watanabe Tsutomu Laboratory at the Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo. We are pleased to announce the TPI for March 2020.

Digest of the T-POINT Price Index for March 2020

●The index rose for the first time in six months, rising 0.54 points from the previous month and down 0.13% from the same month last year.
TPI uses the amount of purchases made using T-CARDs at T-POINT partner stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, and restaurant chains. The TPI for March 2020 increased by 0.54 points from the previous month and was down 0.13% compared to the same month last year, marking the first increase in six months since September 2019. By business type, "supermarkets" increased by 0.81 points from the previous month, and was up to 2.36% compared to the same month last year, the first time it has been in the 2% range since the TPI was compiled. "Drugstores" also increased by 1.42 points from the previous month, and was up to 2.83% compared to the same month last year, also the first time it has been in the 2% range since the TPI was compiled, with both "supermarkets" and "drugstores" reaching their highest indexes ever. On the other hand, "convenience stores" fell 0.08 points from the previous month and 0.59% compared to the same month last year.

The largest increase was among men aged 60-79 at 0.79%, while the smallest was among women aged 20-39 at -1.34%.
Looking at the TPI for March 2020 by gender and age group, in order of the largest increase compared to the same month last year, was 0.79% for men aged 60-79, followed by 0.74% for women aged 60-79, 0.44% for men aged 40-59, 0.09% for men aged 20-39, and -0.75% for women aged 40-59. The smallest increase was -1.34% for women aged 20-39. In contrast to the previous month, when it had declined for both men and women and all age groups, it rose for both men and women and all age groups, with women in the 60-79 age group in particular seeing a significant increase of 1.41 points compared to the previous month. By business type, both supermarkets and drug stores saw increases across men and women and all age groups, with drug stores seeing a sharp increase compared to the previous month. On the other hand, "convenience stores" saw a decline across all age groups, continuing the downward trend since January.

*You can view data by selecting from three business types: "supermarket," "drugstore," and "convenience store."Please note that "restaurant chains" cannot be viewed by selecting by business type.
*Daily index data is up to three days prior.

What is TPI?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is known as an economic thermometer that indicates economic trends. On the other hand, the TPI is an index compiled based on purchase price data accumulated daily through T-POINT partner companies across Japan. Specifically, this price index was derived by aggregating, tabulating, and analyzing purchase amounts obtained from T-CARD purchasing data, which is used by 70.5 million people across Japan (number of members after name matching as of the end of March 2020) and has related sales of over 8 trillion yen, which accounts for approximately 2% of Japan's total consumption.

About TPI

The data currently used by TPI collects the amount of purchases involving T-CARDs at T-POINT partner stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, and restaurant chains. The store areas are as follows: supermarkets are mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Kyushu, drug stores are mainly in the Kanto and Kansai regions, and convenience stores and restaurant chains are nationwide. Currently, the number of products (SKUs) covered by TPI is approximately 110,000, with 191 of the 580 items being utilized, resulting in a coverage of 23.4% when the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications CPI is taken as 100%. The amount used to calculate TPI is excluding consumption tax (excluding tax). Additionally, while no special consideration is given to sale items, all products with sales history for both the previous and current periods are used to compile TPI. Please note that the number of members covered by TPI, as well as the transaction amount and number of uses, have not been disclosed.

TPI Features

The features of TPI are that it allows you to see the price index by gender and age group, and that it is a price index based on buying prices rather than selling prices. The TPI is calculated using the Tornqvist method, which is the same as the University of Tokyo Daily Price Index. This calculation method places more weight on products purchased in larger quantities, and there is a consensus among researchers that it is the best method for creating a price index.

[Disclaimer]
*These results are from a beta version and may be subject to change without notice.
*This information is not intended for use in any investment or economic transactions, and no express or implied guarantees are made, including as to its commercial usefulness or usefulness for any particular purpose.
*Please fully understand the nature of this index and use it at your own risk.
*We are not responsible for any losses resulting from investments or transactions based on this index.
*We do not assume any liability (direct or indirect) arising from the use of this index.
*No representations or warranties are made regarding the accuracy, completeness, precision, reliability, etc. of this index.
*Reproduction of this content without permission is strictly prohibited.

Materials related to this matter

The T-POINT Price Index for March 2020 rose for the first time in six months, rising 0.54 points from the previous month and down 0.13% from the same month last year.

TPI Inquiries
CCC Marketing Co., Ltd.
MAIL: tpi-pj@ccc.co.jp

Media Inquiries
CCC Marketing Co., Ltd.
Public Relations Officer: Ando and Nakagawa
TEL: 03-6800-4464