Suburban malls generally did well but one tourist-oriented shopping center reported a big drop compared with September 1995, according to data compiled by the centers for the Star-Bulletin.

Here's a look at the numbers for September, the most recent complete figures available from shops.

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Business dropped 20 percent, said Charlian Wright, marketing director.

"The yen-to-dollar ratio averaged about 112 in the month of September which continues to be a problem," since that means fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese tourists, Wright said.

"Though we had an increase in visitors partly due to Aloha (Week) Festivals, Oahu showed a decrease of almost 3 percent in visitors for the month."

However, some retail categories saw increases, including: jewelry, up 20 percent; nonfood kiosks, 13 percent; and gifts and souvenirs, 2 percent.

Wright said new merchants opening by Christmas at the center include Fendi, which sells European women's clothing and jewelry; and Bvlgari, selling jewelry and watches.

The new information office for the Hawaii Visitors Bureau also will open soon.

Ala Moana Center: Sales rose 1.35 percent, said Dwight Yoshimura, general manager.

"Merchants have been reporting a leveling of the visitor market," he said. "Also local shopping tends to taper off after the back-to-school period."

Top categories were: shoes, up 18.68 percent and gifts, art and specialty, up 8.76 percent.

Men's and women's apparel and the large department stores also were up slightly, he said.

Kahala Mall: September sales climbed 6.8 percent, said Susan Pinter, marketing director.

Strong sellers included: services/recreation, up 39 percent; specialty retail, 28.7 percent; women's apparel, 26 percent; gifts, books and stationery, 15.5 percent; restaurants, 13 percent; and family apparel, 10 percent.

A new cosmetics store, Blush, opened in October. General Nutrition and the Starbucks coffee shop both will open before the Christmas holidays, Pinter said.

Pearlridge Center: Sales were 1 percent higher, said Marty Lastner, general manager. Big gainers were: shoes, up 27.3 percent; specialty food, 14.2 percent; women's apparel, 10.9 percent; and family apparel, up 6.6 percent.

Windward Mall: Business dropped 1 percent, said spokeswoman Wright. "We did have increases in shoes, up 36 percent; personal services (beauty supplies/shops, photography and eye glass stores), up 12 percent, and women's apparel, up 8 percent."