Retail News CRM

Tag: Japan

  • Japan’s % Coffee to open in China

    Japan’s % Coffee to open in China

    Japanese cafe chain % Coffee is preparing to launch new locations in China and Hong Kong. The business is planning to open its fourth Hong Kong store at Monster Mansion in the middle of next month, its 27th location worldwide. Meanwhile, the franchise’s head roaster Takahiro Uemisha is stationed in Shenzhen preparing for the opening of three locations in the city, scheduled to open within the coming months.

    Shanghai will see two % Coffee stores emerging in Xintiandi and Fangsuo Bookstore. Both locations are being designed by the brand’s new architect Alexis Dornier.

    The Kyoto-headquartered coffee chain is preparing to open its first store in Singapore as well as plotting expansion into Indonesia, Malaysia and India.

    With its slogan “See the world through coffee”, % Coffee has built a strong following via social media. As well as its Asian foray, the company has outlets in Germany and several Middle East markets, with plans for France, Morocco and Canada.

    The Japanese cafe chain was founded in 2014 by Japan-born Kenneth Shoji who grew a love for the beverage while studying in California.

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  • Shibuya Apple store reopens after a year of renovation

    Shibuya Apple store reopens after a year of renovation

    The Shibuya Apple store in Tokyo has reopened today with striking modern styling, coinciding with the release of the iPhone XR. The new four-storey design features dramatic natural lighting and a new spiral staircase, described as “stunning” by local media. The store, which reserves substantial space for back-of-house activities, took 11 months to transform, during which time two further stores were opened in Japan.

    The original Shibuya store, which opened in 2005 as the fourth in Japan, was also well-known for its distinctive spiral staircase, reflective of Apple’s retail aesthetics at the time. The new design is closer in look to that of the Steve Jobs Theatre.

    Comparing the original design with the revamp offers a unique perspective into Apple’s evolving retail architecture. The earlier version of the store, optimised for the iPad era, has been enlarged vertically rather than relocated to more expansive premises, indicating the importance to Apple of the location over the venue’s suitability for the brand’s contemporary retail features such as its video wall, which is conspicuously absent in Shibuya.

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  • Kataoka’s First U.S. Store Opened

    Kataoka’s First U.S. Store Opened

    Japanese jeweller Kataoka has opened its first store in the US. In stark contrast with the firm’s 700sqft shop in Tokyo, the new 1600sqft New York flagship has been located in the trendy Tribeca neighbourhood to reflect Kataoka’s brand identity with its historic look.

    The store has been distinctively designed with a blend of Japanese and Manhattan sensibilities to convey an exotic industrial context for the brand’s delicate jewellery designs, displayed in vintage Japanese casings.

    Company COO Anis Boudraa said the company founder and designer Yoshinobu Kataoka “only wanted display cases that are antique that have a beautiful patina… they really reflect the theory of Kataoka – working with something that’s old”.

    “Our designer hates fast fashion and everything that’s related to fast consumerism.”

    The firm makes its pieces using only recycled gold, which it salvages from the Japanese semiconductor industry. All pieces are hand made.

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  • Asia-Pacific telcos to face slower revenue growth: Moody’s

    Asia-Pacific telcos to face slower revenue growth: Moody’s

    Moody’s Investors Service expects stronger competition for the Asia Pacific (APAC) telecommunications sector and stronger commoditisation, and slower revenue growth for companies across 11 markets in the region, including Malaysia. The other markets are Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Singapore.

    The rating agency’s report entitled “Telecommunications – APAC: 2019 Outlook” noted that while slower overall revenue growth will be evident in all 11 markets, the emerging market is expected to see a more pronounced slowdown with revenue growth to fall to 3-3.5% in 2019 versus the 3.9% in 2017.

    “Comparing overall revenue growth across APAC with GDP (gross domestic product) growth, Moody’s says that companies as a whole will show modest revenue growth of 2-2.2%, with such growth lagging average GDP growth of about 4.6% for the region,” said Moody’s vice-president and senior analyst Nidhi Dhruv.

    Meanwhile, new entrants are expected to intensify competition in Singapore, Japan and Australia.

    High shareholder returns and capital expenditure levels will continue to temper free cash flow generation, which will consequently make companies to look into diversifying revenue as traditional telecommunications revenues contract. This will eventually lead to more cross-industry partnerships.

    Additionally, while 4G will remain the dominant technology used by telecommunications companies in APAC, 5G will gain some traction in 2019-20.

    Japan, Korea and Australia are expected to lead the region in rolling out 5G services in 2019.

    Nevertheless, Moody has given a stable outlook for the sector in APAC 2019, with companies in the region likely to show relatively stable leverage and debt levels over the next 12-18 months.
    Moreover, while liquidity is weakening, it remains supported by the companies’ access to the banks and bond market at current levels.

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  • UNIQLO x ALEXANDER WANG Collection to be launced on November 9

    UNIQLO x ALEXANDER WANG Collection to be launced on November 9

    UNIQLO announced that it will launch the new UNIQLO and ALEXANDER WANG collaboration line in 20 countries and regions around the world on 9 November. In Singapore, the collection will first launch online at UNIQLO.com on 8 November and it will be available in stores from 9 November. The full range will be available at UNIQLO Orchard Central Global Flagship Store and through UNIQLO.com. Selected items will be available at all UNIQLO stores. The range takes the UNIQLO HEATTECH concept of enjoying light and fashionable dressing even in cold seasons and expresses it with new ideas, creating LifeWear that presents HEATTECH as more stylish wear.

    Two images from the launch campaign Warmth Reimagined depict products in an ice block. The metaphorical visual aims to express the thought that HEATTECH transcends the cold and is warm enough to melt away the ice it is encased in. The campaign speaks to the idea that, even though these items are technically ‘innerwear,’ they may be worn as ‘outerwear’ or as visible layers. There is no reason to hide these beautiful, warming garments. Hence Warmth Reimagined.

    The new collection of HEATTECH and HEATTECH Extra Warm items comprises fashionable innerwear with the original functionality of HEATTECH, allowing the wearer to be warm and stylish even in cold seasons. The silhouettes are sharp and slim overall, while the women’s tank top features a unique back design and can be styled with other pieces from the collection. HEATTECH underwear is available in both men’s and women’s lines for the first time. The men’s items include both briefs and boxers, while the women’s range has a bra and shorts. The waist is adorned with a logo, a design element for wearers to casually show.

    The collaboration line includes a range of colours from Alexander Wang’s classic black to neon green. The line also incorporates neo-futuristic elements and sporty styling, such as glossy rib materials reminiscent of 80s fashion. The visual presentation of the comfortable, bias weave fabric is another characteristic of this collection. The fabric itself uniquely changes with body movement, with V-shaped patterns appearing on the surface.

  • Vietjet and Japan Airlines to Commence Code share Ticket Sales

    Vietjet and Japan Airlines to Commence Code share Ticket Sales

    New-age airline Vietjet and Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that both carriers` will begin sales of their codeshare flights starting Tuesday, 23 October 2018.

    This follows a formal partnership agreement between both parties in 2017, in which Vietjet and JAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding for commercial cooperation. The two airlines now offer codeshare flights on domestic destinations in Vietnam and on international flights between Vietnam and Japan.

    Applicable routes operated by Vietjet include domestic flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang; Hanoi and Da Nang; and international flights linking Kansai with Hanoi. The codeshare flights will be available for travel from 28 October 2018, while the Kansai to Hanoi route specifically commences operation on 8 November 2018.

    According to the agreement, Vietjet and JAL aims to continue expanding their codeshare routes in the near future, including other flight services between Japan and Vietnam as well as JAL’s domestic flights, and Vietjet’s domestic flights.

    Vietjet, the largest domestic airline in Vietnam, started its flight services in 2011 and now operates an expanding network all over Vietnam and Asia. Offering convenient and friendly services with reasonable fares and many other attractive add-on services, Vietjet has succeeded in creating new demands in Vietnam. As a new-age carrier, it also offers top-class service called “SkyBoss”, which has been very well received among passengers expecting quality service.

     

  • KitKat opens Osaka shop for made-to-order premium chocolate bars

    KitKat opens Osaka shop for made-to-order premium chocolate bars

    Nestle Japan has opened a permanent made-to-order Kit Kat store in Osaka. The new specialty store is the first and only permanent location in Japan where personalised Kit Kats can be made. It offers customised creations chilled on-the-spot with liquid nitrogen, with customers choosing from three types of chocolate and nine toppings.

    The store is located just outside Nankai Electric Railway’s Namba Station, a prominent Osaka sightseeing location, given the expected popularity of bespoke Kit Kats among tourists.

    Japan has developed a reputation internationally for its unique Kit Kat flavours, which have proved popular with visitors to the country. The confectionery originally comes from the UK.

    Nestle Japan says its made-to-order Kit Kats are sold from ¥702 (US$6.25).

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  • Unstaffed shop to open in Tokyo on trial basis

    Unstaffed shop to open in Tokyo on trial basis

    A Japanese railway network operator is testing an unmanned store in a Tokyo railway station. The store will use artificial intelligence in place of cashiers to transact with customers in a trial expected to last about two months. The venture was opened by East Japan Railway, otherwise known as JR East, this week at the Akabane Station in Tokyo’s north.

    It has some 80 cameras mounted in the ceiling and on shelves recording customer behaviour before the AI software detects which items customers select.

    Customers pay using stored value cards issue by railway companies for transit.

    If the concept proves a success, JR East says it will begin rolling the technology out in stations across the city.

    The store is loosely modelled on unmanned stores opened in Mainland China, along with the Amazon Go concept in the US.

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  • Lego Mosaic Maker opened first store in Yokohama

    Lego Mosaic Maker opened first store in Yokohama

    Danish toy producer Lego has opened a store in Yokohama Landmark Plaza this week, introducing “Lego Mosaic Maker” to Japan. One of only five in the world, the Lego Mosaic Maker is a machine that can reproduce your face in mosaic feature with Lego blocks.

    Visitors enter a booth and take a photo of their face, creating a kit that can make the mosaic in around 10 minutes and which can be offered as a gift for family or friends.

    Use of the mosaic maker is by advance reservation only for a fee of ¥10,455 (US$93). Other special promotions are available in-store.

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  • Eslite to open in Japan with partner

    Eslite to open in Japan with partner

    Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite is planning to expand into Japan. The prominent bookstore business is using the move to build its international profile, and has announced its plans as amounting to a “new starting point for cross-culture ventures”. Eslite’s Japanese partner has yet to be named.

    The firm’s long-term plan is to expand into Southeast Asia, and it has been contacted by multiple potential partners, according to chairperson Mercy Wu. It is currently considering potential different modes of partnership.

    Eslite is a prominent name in the books industry in Taiwan, with 42 stores nationwide, as well as an additional three in Hong Kong and one in Suzhou.

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  • Softbank, Toyota form JV for mobility services in Japan

    Softbank, Toyota form JV for mobility services in Japan

    Japan’s Softbank and automaker Toyota announced plans to form a joint venture by April 2019 to provide launch Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) in the country. The company, called Monet Technologies, will combine Toyota’s mobility services platform and information infrastructure for connected vehicles with Softbank’s Internet of Things platform, the companies said in a joint statement.

    Initially, Monet plans to roll out just-in-time vehicle dispatch services for Japanese public agencies and private companies to meet user demand. Those services include on-demand transportation service and corporate shuttles.

    By the second half of the 2020s, Monet intends to launch an autono-MaaS (autonomous mobility as a service) businesses, using Toyota’s e-Palette battery electric vehicles.

    These vehicles will deliver meals with food prepared in the vehicles, provide hospital shuttles where onboard medical examinations can be carried out onboard.  These vehicles can also serve as mobile offices, Softbank said.

    Softbank said Monet will roll out its mobility services in Japan before focusing on future expansion to the global market.

    The joint venture will have initial capital of 2 billion yen ($17.49 million), and this will be increased to 10 billion yen in future.

    Softbank will own 50.25% of the JV and Toyota take the remaining 49.75%.

    SoftBank Corp representative director and CTO Junichi Miyakawa will be president and CEO of the new joint venture.

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  • Malaysia, Japan in talks on Asian aircraft project

    Malaysia, Japan in talks on Asian aircraft project

    Malaysia is in discussions with the Japanese government for an Asian aircraft project, which is still at the ideation stage, with Malaysia looking at possibly supplying components. Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the idea, envisioned to be like Airbus, for an Asian aircraft came from the Japanese government.

    “They (Japanese government) invited us to consider participating in the Asian aircraft project in view that we have the base here in relation to what we do to support the global aircraft industry, namely CTRM (Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd) is supplying tier 2 (aerospace parts) to Airbus. That will become our base to open up more if the ideation from Japan do materialise in the near future,” he told a press conference at the Malaysian Economic Summit 2018 today.

    He said it has not prepared the framework of its understanding between the various countries in Asia for the project, given that there is only an ideation coined.

    Adding that it has yet to have the first meeting, he hopes the next engagement will be held in late November in Japan.

    “I interacted with the Japanese counterpart. They coined the idea of having an Asian aircraft using the entrepreneurship kind of approach to develop this vendor (system), which is already in the industry, expand their capacity and capability, reaching certain level then combining our resources and technology to realise (this project).”

    Meanwhile, he said the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) is reviewing all the policies and initiatives regarding the development of entrepreneurs and SMEs with the intent to make it more holistic, integrated and targeted.

    Mohd Redzuan said it is the ministry’s mission to widen and coordinate entrepreneurial activities to be more targeted, inclusive, encompassing all segments of society including the B40s and M40s.

    “MED will focus among others on providing proper training and facilitation for entrepreneurs based on industry needs such as business advisory, loans and funding to stimulate the interest of potential and new entrepreneurs to establish their own startups. At the same time, assistance will be extended to them to ensure growth and sustainability of their businesses,” he said.

    He said it is the mandate of MED to provide support and facilitation to local entrepreneurs so that they may move forward and withstand the competition and challenges of the global market.

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  • Jil Sander unveils new store format in Tokyo

    Jil Sander unveils new store format in Tokyo

    German fashion label Jil Sander has introduced a new store format in Tokyo. The Onward Luxury Group-owned brand has inaugurated the new 268sqm flagship in the fashionable Omotesando district with a redesigned interiors concept that will be used to revamp the label’s existing stores worldwide.

    The new store interior design is the work of British architect John Pawson, who has adopted the minimalist essence of the brand’s fashion aesthetic in the new format – using limestone and cherry wood features and a large glass facade – and showcasing just one or two looks at a time.

    Jil Sander operates 11 stores worldwide, including a flagship in Paris. A new opening in Moscow is planned for next year.

     

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  • Fast Retailing profit soars, mainly Uniqlo

    Fast Retailing profit soars, mainly Uniqlo

    Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing has reported a record full-year profit, due to strong growth in Asia and lessening losses in the US. And the company says current year performance to date suggests even better results lie ahead. Fast Retailing profit rose 34 per cent to US$2.11 billion in the year to August.

    In July the company reported a solid third-quarter, again based on strong sales across Asian markets. Across the first nine months, sales outside Japan rose 28 per cent year on year and operating profit outside Japan soared 65 per cent, driven largely by Uniqlo Asia.

    Online sales were also strong as the Uniqlo brand expanded its reach to new markets.

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  • Uny to make discount operator Don Quijote its affiliate

    Uny to make discount operator Don Quijote its affiliate

    Japanese discount store operator Don Quijote is approaching an agreement to take over 100 per cent of the Uny general merchandise store business, making it the country’s fourth-largest retailer. The firm already controls 40 per cent of the Uny business, and the acquisition of the remaining 60 per cent would add 190 locations to its network, most likely converting the existing stores into discount outlets.

    Don Quijote took sales revenue of ¥941.5 billion (US$8.35 billion) in the last financial year. Uny’s sales reached ¥712.8 billion ($6.35 billion).

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