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Tag: Japan

  • Shiseido sales fueled by travel retail

    Shiseido sales fueled by travel retail

    Japanese beauty giant Shiseido Group has revealed strong sales revenue boosted by travel retail in its mid-year results.

    Shiseido sales reached ¥532.6 billion (US$4.8 billion), with ¥47.66 billion ($430.56 million) net income attributable to the business owners, 153.5 per cent above figures for the same period last year.

    A major influence on the group’s performance this year has been the 40.3 per cent increase in sales across the firm’s travel retail business.

    “In the travel retail business, the benefits derived from active investment in marketing, which included further increase of advertising and promotion in airports around the world, led to continued growth in sales of Shiseido, Cle de Peau Beaute, Nars, and Anessa that far outperformed last year, mainly in Asia,” the company reported.

    The company’s sales performance during this period has encouraged management to expect to achieve its “Vision 2020” goal of ¥100 billion ($904 million) in operating income and an operating margin of 10 per cent two years ahead of schedule.

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  • Don Quijote hopes for Seiyu plot

    Don Quijote hopes for Seiyu plot

    Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote says it wants to buy Walmart’s Seiyu department store business in Japan.

    But Walmart still claims it is not for sale.

    Despite widely published reports, that Walmart was approaching potential buyers for the unit, the US company denies it is selling up and moving out of Japan.

    A Walmart spokesperson said that the company is not in talks with prospective buyers and is continuing to develop the business.

    Don Quijote CEO Koji Ohara told a press conference this week that if Seiyu came up for sale “we would be interested and it is attractive”.

    “If you don’t have real estate you can’t do retailing. In addition to its human resources, Seiyu has many locations that you cannot get your hands on,” he said.

    The original Nikkei report said Walmart could fetch 300 – 500 billion yen (US$2.7 – $4.5 billion) for the business if it sold. The move was perceived as a potential outright withdrawal from Japan and a chance for the firm to refocus on higher potential markets in China and India.

    Don Quijote, which has recently expanded into Singapore, last week reported its 29th consecutive year of sales and profit growth. The chain aims to have 500 stores in Japan by 2020, 80 more than it has now. But it is struggling to find locations.

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  • Apple Japan will open its ninth store

    Apple Japan will open its ninth store

    Apple Japan is about to open its ninth retail store.

    The new Apple Kyoto shop will commence trading at 10am on August 25, according to a video in Japanese on the company’s Youtube account. It will be the first in Kyoto city, which is on Honshu Island. Previous Apple Japan stores have opened in Osaka, Fukuoka, Aichi, Miyagi and, of course, Tokyo.

    To mark the opening of the Apple Kyoto store, the tech company has created a new wallpaper downloadable online.

    Apple Kyoto is located on the first floor of the recently opened Kyoto Zero Gate building, adjacent to the Daimaru Kyoto department store and opposite well-known Shinjo Street.

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  • Japanese convenience store ready to fight new challenge

    Japanese convenience store ready to fight new challenge

    Healthcare is becoming a staple category for Japanese convenience store chains as they seek to counter the encroachment of pharmacies on their traditional product ranges.

    According reports, while Japanese drugstores are increasingly offering snacks and quick meals, convenience stores are now selling medicines and even setting up health consultation stations in stores.

    Lawson-branded stores have launched 17 in-store consultation corners and plans to expand this number to 100 locations.

    Lawson president Sadanobu Takemasu said the company wants to resolve the community issues that arise “in an age where many people live to be 100”. The service is intended to attract more families and elderly people.

    FamilyMart and Seven-Eleven convenience chains in Japan have also been found to be selling medicines, with some also offering pharmacy-style advice.

    Japanese drugstores have been increasingly expanding beyond medical products in recent years, which has paid off. The value of pharmacy industry sales has gone up five per cent in the past two years, as opposed to two per cent on convenience store sales over the same period.

    The number of pharmaceutical outlets increased 11 per cent since 2015, during which time convenience store expansion was limited to just three per cent.

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  • Sanrio x Megology launches new capsule collection

    Sanrio x Megology launches new capsule collection

    Global lifestyle brand Sanrio has teamed up with artist, entrepreneur and Megology brand founder Megan Bomgaars to create Sanrio x Megology, a new capsule collection of fashion graphic t-shirts.

    Megan Bomgaars is a self-advocate with Down syndrome who shares her life experiences to inspire and encourage others. The Sanrio x Megology collection (officially marketed with a heart symbol in place of the x) comprises fashion t-shirts and sweatshirts, produced in partnership with apparel manufacturer Jerry Leigh.

    The range combines Megan’s creative designs and motivating mottos including ‘Don’t Limit Me’…’I Can, I Will’…’Don’t Forget Your Sparkle’ with bold graphics of her favorite Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty and Badtz-Maru.

    “My partnership with Sanrio x Megology is my biggest dream come true,” says Bomgaars. “I’ve always loved Hello Kitty and now she’s my best friend! We have a lot to say with her heart and my voice!  Don’t limit us!”

    Bomgaars is one of the stars of the Emmy Award-winning A&E docu-series Born This Way, which follows a group of young adults born with Down syndrome who pursue their passions and lifelong dreams, while defying society’s expectations. The fourth season of the show premieres August 15 at 8pm on A&E in the US. Recently, she composed a popular video called, “Don’t Limit Me” about her experiences and beliefs about being fully included in her community while overcoming limitations.

    As an artist, Megan has taken a lifetime of creative experiences and turned them into a full-time passion with her Megology brand. As a surface design artist, she creates original, one-of-a-kind textiles and fabrics by incorporating unusual techniques such as dyeing with ice, manipulating fiber reactive dyes and the use of colorants. Megan’s signature techniques are fused into the Sanrio x Megology collection.

    “Megan is an inspiration to so many and her positive messages align perfectly with Sanrio’s ‘small gift, big smile’ philosophy,” says Craig Takiguchi, COO of Sanrio, Inc. “It has been a pleasure working with Megan to bring her dream collection to life. Through her creative designs and favorite Sanrio characters, we are able to continue spreading Megan’s messages of encouragement and motivation to fans of all ages.”

    The Sanrio x Megology collaboration will be available in adult, girls and boys sizes. The collection is available at sanrio.com; megology.com and in selected Sanrio stores, including the Sanrio flagship store located at Japanese Village Plaza in downtown Los Angeles.

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  • Cafe24 to partner with Shibuya109 in O2O concept

    Cafe24 to partner with Shibuya109 in O2O concept

    Cafe24 and Shibuya109 have joined together to promote Korean fashion products in Japan and Japanese products on the global online marketplace.

    The South Korean online retail platform Cafe24 has found an ideal partner in iconic Japanese fashion mall Shibuya109 to promote international sales of products from both countries in an O2O initiative which involves an exchange of business infrastructure and expertise.

    The two firms will jointly open a pop-up shop in the Shibuya109 online to offline integrated store Imada Market later this year.

    Cafe24 expects that the partnership will make localised offline store selection, product sales and integrated marketing services available for Korean brands seeking to rapidly enter the Japanese market.

    Shibuya109 President Tomoo Kimura said, “It is exciting to be able to introduce Cafe24’s K-fashion brands through Shibuya109’s Imada Market. Shibuya109 will work to build a lasting relationship with Cafe24 to help Japanese brands go global.”

    Shibuya109 fashion mall was founded in 1979, and sells to a young target market. The brand opened in Hong Kong’s Harbour City in 2016.

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  • Japan’s pancake Chibo to plan Asian expansion

    Japan’s pancake Chibo to plan Asian expansion

    Japanese pancake-restaurant chain Chibo is expanding to new locations in Asia to attract previous visitors to Japan who may be familiar with their brand.

    Chibo serves an Osakan specialty pancake called okonomiyaki, a seasoned dish that contains vegetables, meat and seafood. Increasing numbers of tourists from neighbouring Asian countries have been visiting Osaka, according to data from the local prefectural government.

    The chain’s expansion began in May with a new location in Chinese Fuzhou. It plans to open in Taiwan and Vietnam in the coming months, hoping to reach 20 overseas venues opened by 2020.

    The company is also targeting Muslim tourists by adding halal dining options to their domestic outlets, making the restaurant among the few that serve food that complies with Islamic practice.

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  • Moncler sales up on China, Japan

    Moncler sales up on China, Japan

    Luxury down jacket brand Moncler reported strong double-digit sales growth in the first half of 2018, on the back of solid revenue gains in China and Japan.

    The Milan, Italy-based brand said consolidated revenues reached 493.5 million euros for the six months ended June 30, an increase of 27% (at constant exchange rates), compared to 2017.

    In outlining the results, Moncler’s CEO, Remi Ruffini, hailed “major growth across all distribution channels—retail, wholesale and digital—and across all markets.”

    The group’s retail distribution channel increased to 376.8 million euros, up 33%, while comparable sales jumped 27%. Wholesale saw a 12% uptick.

    For the six months, net income climbed 47% to 61.6 million euros for a margin of 12.5%, while operating profit increased 35% to 85.7 million euros.

    In Italy, revenues rose 9%, mainly driven by the strong growth of the retail channel, while in Asia and ROTW, revenues leaped 42, helped by Japan, which significantly accelerated in the second quarter, thanks to the launch of ‘7 Moncler Fragment Hiroshi Fujiwara’.

    Moncler said it continued to register “very good performances” in China, which saw double-digit organic growth, following the Chinese government decision to reduce import duties.

    From the beginning of July, Moncler reduced its prices in China by 3.5% on average, it added.

    Revenues in Korea recorded a solid increase, with a sales acceleration in the second quarter, “mainly due to the organic growth of the existing stores’ network.”

    In the EMEA marker, Moncler’s revenues grew 17%, while the Americas grew 29%, said the company.

    Moncler currently operates 209 retail directly operated stores globally, with 65 shop-in-shops.

    It operates some 84 points-of-sales in Asia alone.

  • Uniqlo to use Google voice recognition technology in its mobile assistant

    Uniqlo to use Google voice recognition technology in its mobile assistant

    Japanese retailer Uniqlo has launched a mobile assistant using Google voice recognition technology to personalise recommendations for customers.

    The Uniqlo mobile assistant has already undergone significant testing with development partners in Japan, and is already live there. It is intended to streamline internet garment shopping to make the experience fresher and more inspiring.

    Shoppers throughout Japan can now access the tool via Line, Google Assistant, or the proprietary Uniqlo app. It features product rankings updated hourly, search by occasion type, finding items featured in magazines, and even garment matching according to astrological findings. Shoppers can purchase their selections online or at the nearest physical store if they prefer.

    Cofounder of development partner Inamoto & Co Rei Inamoto said, “As retail moves deeper into the digital realm, shopping needs to be not just portable and perpetual but personal as well. There has been a lot of talk about AI in the last few years but most use cases have been toys, not tools.

    “Available through chat, search and even voice activation, this iteration of Uniqlo IQ is the foundation of how Uniqlo will provide customer service on a personal level not just reactively but also proactively.”

    A spokesperson for Uniqlo said the assistant tool is the first instance of Google working so closely on a partnering brand-specific solution.

  • Bluebell opens two stores in one day to kick-off OWNDAYS’ expansion plan in HK

    Bluebell opens two stores in one day to kick-off OWNDAYS’ expansion plan in HK

    Bluebell officially announces the joint venture with the Japanese Eyewear retail concept OWNDAYS, expanding its activities in the lifestyle segment to attract millennials.

    Bluebell and Owndays are joining forces to execute an aggressive roll-out plan with privilege access to various shopping malls thanks to Bluebell’s years of experience and strong network.

    OWNDAYS is an international optical retail concept founded in Tokyo, Japan. It currently has more than 120 stores in Japan and has successfully established stores in 10 overseas countries in Asia-Pacific.

    This year, OWNDAYS will be expanding its network to its 11th overseas market – Hong Kong, starting with 2 shops on 31st July located at East Point City, the first large-scale multi-function shopping mall in Tseung Kwan O, and Tuen Mun Town Plaza, which has been acknowledged as the largest shopping mall in the Northwest New Territories in HK.

    Following similar geo-marketing strategies, Zoff and Jins, two Japanese fast fashion eyewear retail concepts, have also been expanding into HK this year, increasing the number of Japanese companies targeting overseas markets.

    In consistency with the brand image, the retail concept is by an open shop front and extensive use of wooden panels aimed to create a sense of harmony. Display racks with mirrors are designed to accommodate the different collections of glasses and give customers the freedom to try them on in a relaxed shopping environment.

    OWNDAYS is characterized by a solid knowledge and professional skills. All staff is trained to process quality glasses within 20 minutes from optometry to delivery to ensure the best service. OWNDAYS lenses are manufactured by leading international lens makers and high index aspheric lenses come with UV protection and dust-resistant coating.

    OWNDAYS has a wide portfolio of products which include: Progressive Lenses, Polarised Lenses, Transitions Lenses, Colour Lenses, and PC Lenses. All glasses displayed in shop are original brands designed and manufactured by OWNDAYS. OWNDAYS’ brands range from stylish and fashionable to functional and are able to satisfy different customer profiles.

    Among the brands available in HK lies:

    Graph Belle
    Graph Belle is a brand for sophisticated ladies. With charming and feminine frames, the portfolio includes a rich selection from modern-designed frames to classic designed frames. They are simple but full of playful spirit, catered to ladies willing to make eyewear a distinctive trait of their outfit.

    John Dillinger
    In the early 1930s, John Dillinger was highly supported by the citizens as a benevolent thief in the Midwestern United States. The brand, borrowing his name, revisits his period and history and it blends it to the present by creating a neo-classic collection. From the standard to the unique designs, each frame has its own name with motifs from 1960’s famous people.

    JUNNI
    This brand is for modern kids with fashionable sense. Characterized by a playful mix of colours and cool designs, the original KIDS frames are named “Junni”. This collection has also enchanted adults as those ones with small faces could enjoy the design.

    In the occasion of the launch of OWNDAYS in HK, the current President & CEO Shuji Tanaka will meet press and fans. Shuji Tanaka took over OWNDAYS in 2008 and has transformed it into a retail chain operation that sells over 2 million pairs of glasses annually.

    He redefined OWNDAYS’s philosophy, adding a closer personal touch to the design and tailoring it to customers’ needs. He follows operations from product design, production, sales to after-sales making sure that OWNDAYS stays up-to-date with changes in the market and sets trends for upcoming generations.

    OWNDAYS is keen on working with different platforms from different industries, including participation in one of the largest fashion shows in Japan – ‘Tokyo Girls Collection’ in 2010, and as one of the official sponsors of the world’s first large scale fashion tournament for top stylists – ‘World Runway Premiere’ in 2011. OWNDAYS also sponsored the 4th Okinawa International Movie Festival in 2012.

    Shuji Tanaka is also aware of the importance of contributing to society and in 2015 has launched OWNDAYS Eye Camp Project, a project to start vision correction support activities in Tamil Nadu, India, through the distribution of glasses.

    The OWNDAYS Eye camp is conducted every 3 months in partnership with Voice Trust, a non-governmental organization based in South India, where volunteer doctors conduct eye checks for people in rural parts of India for eye health evaluations. OWNDAYS hopes to help and make a difference to their quality of lives through the project.

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  • Food and fuel boost japanese retail sales rise

    Food and fuel boost japanese retail sales rise

    Japanese retail sales increased by 1.8 per cent in June thanks to strong food sales and rising petrol prices.

    According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japanese retail sales reached ¥11.8 trillion (US$106.25 billion) during the month. It was the eighth consecutive monthly rise.

    Rising crude oil prices flowed through to petrol pump prices, which surged 16.7 per cent year on year. Sales of cosmetics and pharmacy products rose 3.9 per cent, largely due to demand from overseas visitors.

    Food and beverage sales rose 1.5 per cent, with prepared meals and meat fuelling growth.

    Supermarket sales rose 1.9 per cent, while department store sales rose 2.6 per cent, which the ministry said was due to there being one more Saturday in June this year than last year.

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  • Japan’s Utena debuts in Singapore

    Japan’s Utena debuts in Singapore

    Japanese beauty brand Utena has launched in Singapore.

    The 91-year-old heritage brand, which is currently distributed throughout Greater China and Thailand, is now available at selected Watsons stores, Yue Hwa, Welcia-BHG, Tokyu Hands, Don Don Donki, Metro Singapore, and online via Shopee, Lazada, Redmart and Qoo10.

    Its key products are a high-level beauty serum mask called the Premium Puresa Golden Jelly Series, now selling in Singapore, and the Matomage Hair Styling series fortified with natural ingredients, arriving in stores next month.

  • Japan to Help Build Fish-Processing Centers in Indonesia

    Japan to Help Build Fish-Processing Centers in Indonesia

    The government will use a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to build integrated marine and fishery centers on islands in Indonesia’s six outermost regions to boost exports.

    The agency, known as JICA, granted total funding of 2.5 billion yen ($22 million) for the construction of processing centers on Sabang in Aceh, Natuna in the Riau Islands, Biak in Papua and Morotai Moa and Saumlaki in Maluku.

    “Once the program is completed, small fishermen will be able to use the upgraded fishing ports … and have access to various facilities, such as fish storage,” Shinichi Yamanaka, JICA’s Indonesian representative, said in a statement on Wednesday (01/08).

    “Hopefully, this cooperation initiative will stimulate local fisheries and coastal citizens’ standard of living, especially those on Indonesia’s farthest islands,” Yamanaka said.

    Nilanto Perbowo, secretary general of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said the government expects the facilities to be operational by 2020.

    The facilities are part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s program to develop Indonesia’s remote areas, which includes the establishment of 20 integrated marine and fisheries centers.

    The Indonesian fishing industry has seen rising production over the past three years, since the government started to crack down on illegal fishing activities. But the industry lacks the capability to process bigger catches, limiting local fishermen from reaching a broader market.

    The country’s fishermen caught 7.7 million metric tons of fish last year, up 18 percent since 2014, when the crackdown began, according to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry data.

    Still, it missed the government’s target of 8.8 million tons. Destructive Fishing Watch, a fisheries watchdog, said slow progress in mechanizing the fishing industry is one of the factors behind the failure. The government has set a target of 9.5 million tons of fish for this year.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo in May to request assistance with the construction of the facilities, arguing that the East Asian nation also stood to benefit from the increased availability of Indonesian products. The Banda Sea near Maluku for example, is a known source of yellowfin and bluefin tuna, which are in high demand in Japan.

    Susi also asked Japan to exempt Indonesia from its 7 percent import tariff on fishery products, noting the archipelago’s successful crackdown on illegal fishing in its waters. Thailand and Vietnam are also exempt from the import tariff.

    Indonesia has managed to reduce illegal fishing by foreign vessels by 90 percent and decreased illegal fishing by 25 percent overall, according to a study published on Nature Ecology & Evolution in March. The country took various steps to achieve this, including the sinking of hundreds of foreign vessels caught fishing illegally.

  • Mitsui Fudosan plan to open more store

    Mitsui Fudosan plan to open more store

    Japan’s largest factory outlet operator is considering opening a similar park in Thailand.

    The firm, Mitsui Fudosan Retail Management, is the developer of Mitsui Outlet Park, which attracts increasing numbers of Thai visitors each year. 120,000 Thai nationals are expected to visit the park this year, compared to 80,000 last year and 60,000 in 2016.

    Kazuo Iida, the GM for the firm’s tourism sales promotion department, said, “We’re interested in opening the Mitsui Outlet Park in Thailand, but the plan is just in the consideration process.

    “The number of Thais who visit Mitsui Outlet Park ranks fourth after China, Hong Kong and Taiwan,” he explained. “The number of Thais who visit Mitsui Outlet Park will outpace Taiwanese visitors for third place in the near future.”

    With the outlet park set to open a third-stage expansion at the end of October, it is moving towards becoming the outlet mall with the most stores in Japan, according to Iida.

    The group operates 13 outlet malls in Japan and two branches in Taiwan and Malaysia.

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  • Nike x Top Dawg Launches Official Capsule Collection

    Nike x Top Dawg Launches Official Capsule Collection

    Nike and Top Dawg Entertainment are hosting a pop-up shop in Tokyo this weekend ahead of Kendrick Lamar’s Fuji Rock Festival performance.

    To mark the occasion, Japanese clothing brand Undercover has partnered with rapper “DNA” for the release of an exclusive special collaboration capsule.

    The Damn. pop-up shop will feature a number of garments and accessories themed after K. Dot’s latest release.

    One of the capsule’s items has been previewed on Instagram, which unveiled a black T-shirt with “Damn.” written across the front chest.

    The Damn pop-up shop is set to take place at NikeLab’s MA5 location in Tokyo.

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