A series of sales continued in Japanese department stores in September

Department stores in Japan continue to perform well amid an influx of foreign shoppers. Sales in September rose year-over-year for the 31st month in a row. However, rising prices have also put pressure on some purchases.

Department store sales totaled more than 420 billion yen, or more than $2.7 billion, up more than 2 percent from the same month last year.

That figure has risen as shoppers snap up luxury items, including handbags and watches from high-end brands.

Sales of duty-free goods rose more than 21 percent to nearly 40 billion yen, or about $260 million.

Meanwhile, food purchases continued to decline as prices rose.

Sales of fresh produce fell for the sixth month in a row, while prepared goods fell for the third month in a row.

The Japan Department Store Association says major exchange rate fluctuations could impact duty-free sales in the future.