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Tag: Japan

  • Uniqlo Collaborates with Ines de la Fressange for a Spring/Summer 2018

    Uniqlo Collaborates with Ines de la Fressange for a Spring/Summer 2018

    UNIQLO today announces it will launch the INES DE LA FRESSANGE Spring/Summer 2018 Collection, starting from Friday, March 16. In its ninth season, the full 82-item collection will be available at UNIQLO Orchard Central (Global Flagship Store), Suntec City and online, while dresses will be available at all stores. Prices will range from $19.90 for a Women’s Waffle Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt to $199.90 for a Women’s Soutien Collar Coat.

    The collection is the fruit of a collaboration between Parisian chic icon, Ines de la Fressange, and UNIQLO Special Project Design Director, Naoki Takizawa. The range brings together Ines’ belief in designing clothes that all women wear with comfort to reveal their beauty, and the LifeWear philosophy of providing innovative, high-quality clothing that is universal in design and comfort.

    Celebrating Ines’ recollections of boating scenes and vibrant architecture during holidays in port towns around Europe, the range builds on her desire to offer wardrobe essentials that are also fashionable, newly including pyjamas.

    Key Colours & Prints

    The collection features cobalt blue, red and a variety of prints such as borders, checks, dots, flowers, and star patterns. Ines’ signature navy blue and indigo are also showcased in new ways.

    Key Items

    Key items include gingham check cotton parkas, soft easy pants in delightful spring patterns, and 1960s-style cache-coeur dresses with ruffles. Ines’ effortless style extends to the elegantly relaxing pyjamas with prints that are identical to those used in the collection’s tops, pants, and dresses.

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  • Daiso stores to penetrate Israeli retail market

    Daiso stores to penetrate Israeli retail market

    Japanese “dollar store” chain Daiso is about to enter the Israeli retail market, to be run by the Union Group, the franchise holder for Cos and H&M in Israel and the official importer for Toyota and Lexus.

    Founded in 1977, Daiso will be competing in Israel with chains such as Hastock and Max Stock. It is expected to offer 100,000 products at a fixed low price, including designer products and accessories for the home, toys, design aids, work tools, gardening tools, electronic products, auto products, sewing tools and animal accessories. Most are made exclusively for the Japanese chain’s private label.

    Daiso has 4900 stores in 26 markets, 3000 of them in Japan. The company’s revenue totalled $4 billion in 2015.

    Daiso’s most popular items are batteries and small products for the home.

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  • Shiseido launches new teen brand Posme

    Shiseido launches new teen brand Posme

    Shiseido looks to increase teen beauty sales with the launch of its open innovation project, Posme Me.

    Posme will consist of a variety of cosmetic and non-cosmetic products and services, which are collectively created by high school girls.

    According to the Japanese cosmetics giant, high school girls are becoming a major source of a new pop culture, following the “Millennials movement in Japan.”

    For the project, Shiseido has gathered an array of high school students and formed a team called Posme ＆ Co. The team currently consists of 40 members who live mainly in Tokyo.

    The influencer-group have been partnered with several companies to develop beauty products and services, as well as items beyond cosmetics, to fall under a new Posme brand, targeted at their peers.

    New products will include items favoured by high school girls such as sweets, stationery and fashionable accessories.

    The first product to launch will be a multi-use colour item, Play Colour Chip. It can be used in a variety of ways; be it, an eye colour or blush.

    “This product was developed through communication with more than 150 high school girls and will be sold in a set of six disposable chips of the same colour,” explained Shiseido in a press statement.

    “Play Colour Chip marks a change in cosmetics, transforming an item to be used individually into something that can be ‘shared or swapped’, creating a new form of enjoyment. The new chips offer more freedom in makeup, allowing users to coordinate colours with friends, try a new colour more easily, or enjoy a special colour for a special occasion.”

    A recent survey conducted by Shiseido revealed that 93% of female school girls perceived the novelty of the items because they can be swapped with friends, are easy to carry around, are good for a gift, and are perfect to try a new colour.

    Going forward, Shiseido plans to gather hundreds of Posme members throughout Japan with more products expecting to be released.

    The company is also launching a new shop, Posme Lab Shibuya, on 26 January, which will serve as a communication space for Posme members.

     The teen beauty initiative is the first project to form part of Shiseido’s Innovation Design Lab, a division first established by the company in January 2017.

    The Innovation Design Lab comes under Shiseido’s ‘Vision 2020’, and aims to “foster innovation”, a major goal of the firm’s mid-to long-term strategy.

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  • Kit Kat Flagship Store to Open Its First Location in Korea

    Kit Kat Flagship Store to Open Its First Location in Korea

    A KitKat flagship store has been launched in Shinsegae’s Gangnam department store in South Korea.

    It has been opened by Swiss food giant Nestle’s Japanese unit, which has developed special flavours for the chocolate wafer snack in collaboration with chef Yasumasa Takagi, who has just rolled out a special ruby version. As well as the original KitKats, the new Seoul store offers such exotic variations as cherry blossom and wasabi.

    “Nestle decided to open the first flagship store to reflect Korean customers’ needs for new and trendy premium chocolate,” says Nestle Korea CEO Erwan Vilfeu.

    Nestle Japan is looking into taking its special flavours to other Asian countries with similar flagship stores.

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  • Japanese firms mull over expansion plans in Vietnam

    Japanese firms mull over expansion plans in Vietnam

    Việt Nam maintained its position as an important investment destination for Japanese companies, with some 70 per cent of operational Japanese-invested firms making plans for business expansion here.

    This information was revealed by Hironobu Kitagawa, chief representative of Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO), in Hà Nội, at a meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on January 29.

    According to the latest survey conducted by JETRO on the operation of Japanese firms in Asia and Oceania, 65.1 per cent of Japanese businesses operating in Việt Nam reported profits, up 2.3 points over the 2016 survey.

    Some 70 per cent of Japanese firms have mulled over expansion schemes in Việt Nam given the country’s market size, growth, stable political and social state of affairs, and cheap labour cost.

    This was a high rate in comparison with other countries where JETRO conducted the annual survey, Kitagawa said. “Việt Nam continues to be an important investment destination for Japanese businesses.”

    However, the head of JETRO in Hà Nội also pointed out the risks in the investment climate, concerns and obstacles that Japanese enterprises are facing during the investment process in Việt Nam.

    The latest survey was conducted with nearly 12,000 Japanese enterprises in 20 countries and territories in Asia and Oceania from October 10 to November 10, 2017. In Việt Nam, 1,345 Japanese firms participated in the survey.

    The full report will be made available next week.

    According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Đỗ Thắng Hải, the survey provides comprehensive and objective information to help the Vietnamese Government and ministries to make effective and practical policies.

     

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  • Walmart and Rakuten Announced New Strategic Alliance

    Walmart and Rakuten Announced New Strategic Alliance

    In Tokyo today, Walmart president/CEO Doug McMillon and Rakuten chairman/president/CEO Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani announced a strategic alliance aimed at expanding consumer reach and enhancing customer service.

    Included in the collaboration is the launch of an online grocery delivery service in Japan as well as an exclusive retail alliance between the US retail giant and e-reading service Rakuten Kobo. This will enable Walmart to sell e-books and audiobooks, as well as offer Rakuten Kobo e-readers in stores and online in the US.

    “We’re excited to collaborate with the top online shopping destination in Japan,” says McMillon.

    “We look forward to expanding our grocery footprint in Japan and launching eBooks and audiobooks for our customers in the US.”

    Rakuten and Seiyu GK, a Walmart subsidiary, have reached a basic agreement to establish a JV to launch a delivery service for online grocery shoppers in Japan, to be known as Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper and planned to start late this year. With the aim of increasing fulfillment capacity, enriching the merchandise offering and improving customer convenience, the service will establish a fulfilment centre this year as well as offering deliveries from Seiyu stores.

    The service’s merchandise offering will showcase Seiyu’s twin strengths of “quality” and
    “low prices”. It will include not only fresh produce and daily consumables, but also convenience items such as cut vegetables, partially prepared foods and ready-meal kits, as well as local gourmet products from Rakuten Ichiba marketplace merchants.

    An optimised user experience will be offered, with more personalisation enabled by big data and AI. Customers will be able to earn and use Rakuten Super Points on more than 70 services.

    Meanwhile, Walmart will become Rakuten Kobo’s exclusive mass retail partner in the US, offering nearly 6 million titles from thousands of publishers and hundreds of thousands of authors. Walmart will also sell digital book cards in more than 4000 stores.

    All e-book content will be accessible through a Walmart/Kobo co-branded app for Android and iOS devices, a desktop app and Kobo e-Readers, which will also be sold at
    Walmart.

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  • Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Forever 21 has launched a collection featuring classic Honda racing motifs.

    The brainchild of Honda’s brand management agency Earthbound, the F21xHonda racing capsule collection consists of iconic Honda designs from the early 1980s and action sportswear of the 1990s.

    “Pairing nostalgic Honda racing iconography with updated silhouettes and fabrics to create a modern yet timeless aesthetic, the latest collection includes a variety of men’s and women’s apparel,”said the two companies in a statement.

    The women’s collection offers vintage inspired styles from long and short sleeved crop-tops, long sleeve t-shirts and skirts, including items in the Plus size range. The men’s collection features street-wear ready pieces including t-shirts, pull-over sweaters and racing jackets.

    “We are always looking for new and unexpected partnerships,” said Linda Chang, VP of marketing for Forever 21. “This collaboration with Honda racing is especially relevant now with the popularity of racing and motorsport designs. We hope that fans of both Honda racing and our customers will celebrate with us through this collection.”

    Honda Powersports Marketing’s senior manager Mike Snyder said collaborating with a brand like Forever 21 allows Honda motorcycles to access a completely new audience.

    “We are very happy with the collection they have developed. It does a great job of blending Honda’s Racing history with Forever 21’s fashion sense.”

    The F21 x Honda racing collection launched in stores throughout North America and on Forever21.com this week.

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  • DFS Group Announces Exclusive New Bvlgari Collection

    DFS Group Announces Exclusive New Bvlgari Collection

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer and the magnificent Italian High Jeweler, BVLGARI, are delighted to introduce the new Serpenti Passion Red collection, available exclusively at DFS airport stores and T Gallerias from January 1, 2018.

    This exclusive collection introduces four new brilliant BVLGARI pieces, immediately recognizable by their
    unmistakable Italian design reflecting 2,700 years of Roman history, and embracing stylistic audacity and a
    penchant for rich, vibrant colour.

    The collection features two Serpenti Twist Your Time watches with interchangeable straps crafted in calf and
    Karung leather in pink and red or burgundy and black, a Serpenti Seduttori pendant with a ruby eye, and a
    Serpenti Forever ruby red handbag in brushed metallic calf leather with a red and white Serpenti head and onyx
    eyes.

    Christophe Chaix, DFS Group Senior Vice President Fashion, Watches, Jewelry and Accessories said the introduction of the new collection symbolizes DFS Group’s appreciation of BVLGARI’s unrivalled commitment to high-end quality.

    “We are delighted to continue our unique partnership with BVLGARI, whose name is synonymous with a luxurious lifestyle,” said Christophe. “These stunning new designs are a perfect complement to DFS’ belief that
    life should be lived beautifully. We are sure our discerning traveling customers will be thrilled to find Serpenti
    and Seduttori in our collection of fine watches and jewelry.”

    Lelio Gavazza, Executive Vice President Sales and Retail BVLGARI, said the new collection signifies what
    BVLGARI is and has always been about; homage to legacy, and the grace of uniquely designed jewelry,
    watches and bags.

    “BVLGARI is pleased to present this exclusive capsule collection to DFS. This premium network represents the
    ultimate luxury retail shopping experience in travel retail channel. With BVLGARI‘s unique products combined
    with DFS expertise in delivering customized customer experience, we are certain to satisfy various travelers’
    needs, especially during the coming Chinese New Year holiday. ”

    DFS brings BVLGARI’S new Serpenti Passion Red range to global travelers, luxury shoppers and particularly
    to customers in Hong Kong, China, Macau and Japan who value high-quality luxury fashion and jewelry.
    BVLGARI’sSerpenti Passion Red will be available for purchase at T Galleria by DFS stores worldwide until 31
    December 2018.

    Details of the new BVLGARI Serpenti and Seduttori range:

    • BVLGARI Serpenti Twist Your Time 27mm Watch with Pink and Red Interchangeable Straps in calf and Karung leather: Watch size 27 mm in steel case, Mother of Pearl dial sourced from Australia and Indonesia, pink bracelet calf with two loops, hour/minute display, quartz stones, waterproof up to 30 metres and Crown with Rubellite

    • BVLGARI Serpenti Twist Your Time 27mm Watch with Burgundy Red and Black Interchangeable Straps in calf and Karung leather: Watch size 27 mm in steel case, red dial, bordeaux bracelet calf with two loops, hour/minute display, quartz stones, waterproof up to 30 metres and Crown with Rubellite

    • BVLGARI Seduttori Pink Gold Pendant with Ruby: Pink gold necklace with .24 ct pear ruby in a round mounted setting

    • BVLGARI Serpenti Forever Nappa Handbag Ruby Red Limited Edition: Flap Cover, Serpenti Forever
    Accessories, brushed metallic calf leather in ruby red and light gold with 100% Nappa Ruby Red lining.

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  • 2nd STREET USA to Launch Its First US Store

    2nd STREET USA to Launch Its First US Store

    Japanese used-clothing market 2nd Street USA has set up shop in the US.

    A subsidiary of Tokyo-based GEO Holdings, 2nd Street USA has opened on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Selling and buying goods, it offers men’s and women’s clothing as well as accessories.

    Among the assortment are designer labels like Burberry, MCM and Supreme, along with “big-in-Japan” brands A Bathing Ape, Comme des Garçons and Porter. There is also Kurofine, a clothing line produced by Kyoto Montsuki which recycles used clothing items with a special dyeing process.

    It is 2nd Street’s first venture outside of Japan, where it has 578 stores. The company plans two more stores for California by March next year, and aims to expand to 10 stores in the US by 2020.

    CEO Masahiro Kikuchi says all goods are carefully chosen for quality, and the store offers attentive service.

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  • China leads for L’Occitane International

    China leads for L’Occitane International

    China and Hong Kong, along with Brazil, had the highest sales growth in local currencies for French cosmetics company L’Occitane International for the nine months to the end of December.

    China sales grew 23.4 per cent in local currency, with same-store sales up 17.4 per cent.

    Hong Kong had 9.7 per cent growth at constant exchange rates, thanks to strong travel-retail sales in Asia, particularly Greater China, Korea and Japan.

    The group’s net sales reached €1 billion (US$1.2 billion), or 3 per cent growth at constant rates for the period. Unfavourable foreign-exchange rates knocked down sales at reported rates by 0.6 per cent.

    Same-store sales growth for the nine months further improved to 1.4 per cent from a 0.1 per cent drop for the six months to September 30. The improvement was mainly contributed by holiday offerings in the third quarter that fueled same-store sales growth in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia and other key markets.

    Sell-out sales accounted for 74.1 per cent of net sales, amounting to €741.9 million, down 1.4 per cent at reported rates but up 2.5 per cent at constant rates. This growth was primarily from positive same-store growth as well as non-comparable stores and other sales, including new and renovated stores, marketplaces and spa businesses.

    Web sell-out channels (own e-commerce and marketplaces) delivered encouraging growth of 21.2 per cent to reach 14.3 per cent of total sell-out sales.

    Sell-in sales accounted for 25.9 per cent of the group’s total sales, amounting to €259 million and an increase of 4.4 per cent at constant exchange rates. Like-for-like growth was 8.2 per cent.

    The increase was primarily driven by travel retail, distribution, B2B and web-partner channels of the L’Occitane en Provence brand. The emerging brands Erborian and Melvita continued double-digit growth.

    The group opened 16 stores and renovated 118 during the nine months, compared to 56 store openings and 79 renovations for the same period a year earlier.

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  • Lat Phrao to have newest Le Tao cafe

    Lat Phrao to have newest Le Tao cafe

    Thailand’s latest Le Tao cafe has officially opened at Central Plaza Lat Phrao, with celebrities cooking for charity at its launch event.

    The Japanese cheesecake and bakery concept arrived in Thailand two years ago, courtesy of DB Group managing directors Dolnapa Tumwattana and Kwanchai Ongkamongkol.

    Actors Varodom “Kimmon” Khemmonta and Suradet “Bas” Piniwat from Deun Kiaw Deun helped make pancakes at the store’s launch. A strawberry pancake by Kimmon and chocolate pancake by Bas were auctioned, raising THB50,000 (US$1570) for Siriraj Hospital.

    From Otaru city on Hokkaido Island, Le Tao spread throughout Japan with its combination of the culture of Japanese dessert-making with Western baking. Pancakes take up to 15 minutes to bake, and are topped with maple syrup, chocolate or strawberry sauce plus fruit on request, and served with fresh cream and vanilla ice cream. The Le Tao Pancake offers a cheese flavour.

    Other popular desserts include cheesecake, milk roll, cheese served in a cup, and cookies stuffed with cheese.

    Le Tao also has branches at Siam Paragon, The EmQuartier and Central Bang Na in Bangkok.

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  • Louis Vuitton Ginzato move to new location

    Louis Vuitton Ginzato move to new location

    The Louis Vuitton Ginza Namikidōri Store has a new design and a new home, moving to the new Tokyo Ginza Asahi Building.

    The move is a result of its former location being closed for rebuilding.

    Now covering two storeys, the store features a modern façade inspired by pieces from its Objets Nomades collection, incorporating ideas from in-house artisans and famous designers. The interior is immersed in soft, natural light.

    On offer are the brand’s latest women’s and men’s collections including Capucines handbags (exclusive here for Japan), suitcases, leather accessories, ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and fine jewellery.

     

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  • Nokia wins 5G supply deal with NTT DoCoMo

    Nokia wins 5G supply deal with NTT DoCoMo

    Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has contracted Nokia to supply 5G baseband products to support the operator’s goal of commercially deploying a 5G network by 2020.

    Under the deal, Nokia will integrate its 5G new radio based AirScale hardware into Nokia’s network and further enhancing existing baseband units.

    DoCoMo and Nokia have been collaborating closely on 5G trials and have now agreed on supply of Nokia 5G baseband units to support centralized management for 5G remote radio heads, supporting the evolution of the DoCoMo network from LTE to 5G.

    “We have been collaborating with partners such as Nokia on various 5G technology and use case trials since 2014. With this agreement with Nokia, we are now proceeding to the next step to launch 5G mobile services by 2020, and accelerate co-creation of new services and businesses with vertical industry partners,” DoCoMo CTO Hiroshi Nakamura said.

    Nokia is currently focused on applying the 3GPP-compliant 5G new radio standard in customer trials ahead of expected commercial launches between 2019 and 2020. The first stage of the 5G new radio standard was published in late 2017.

  • World’s first Ruby KitKat drops in Japan for Valentine’s Day

    World’s first Ruby KitKat drops in Japan for Valentine’s Day

    Forget a diamond ring for Valentine’s Day – this has been trumped by a ruby KitKat chocolate snack by Nestle Japan.

    Its Sublime Ruby KitKat has been unveiled with due ceremony in Tokyo, and has been rolled out in KitKat Chocolatory boutiques across Japan, a further addition to Nestle’s “Made-In-Japan” luxury flavours for the snack.

    It is made from the new Ruby chocolate, which differs in flavour from traditional bitter, milk and white chocolate. Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut spent more than 10 years developing its masterpiece, released in Shanghai in September.

    Made from the ruby cocoa bean, it is described as a new experience with an intense taste and characteristic reddish colour. It is not bitter, milky or sweet, but has a balance between berry fruitiness and smoothness. No berries, flavours or colours are added.

    Chef/patissier Yasumasa Takagi, who has been supervising new KitKat products since 2003, managed to encompass the new chocolate in KitKat form in time for the product to be ready in Japan ahead of Valentine’s Day.

    Units of Sublime Ruby KitKat will be available in limited numbers, with an assortment box to follow including the new product.i

  • ChikuChiku Cafe Hong Kong to feature hedgehog

    ChikuChiku Cafe Hong Kong to feature hedgehog

    Hedgehogs in dollhouses are central to the new first-for-Japan concept ChikuChiku Cafe, which translates as “prickly cafe”.

    Set up in Shibuya by the Shiikugakari company, ChikuChiku (also known as the Hedgehog Home and Cafe) allows patrons to feed, touch and take photos with its cute inmates.

    There are 10 different abodes for the hedgehogs including dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, a garden, a Japanese-style room and a classroom, plus a large “cityscape” in the centre of the cafe where the hedgehogs take a walk.

     

     

    There are plans for ongoing updates for the hedgehog houses.

    Children 12 years and younger need to be accompanied by adults at the cafe, while children six years and younger are not allowed to touch the animals.

    Other terms of service as listed on the cafe’s website include:

    • ● We charge for the table by the hour. If you have a reservation, your ticket is valid for one hour only. Even when you are late for the reservation time, please leave us on schedule. If you visit without a reservation, you can stay for one hour starting from the time on your receipt.Drinks are available at a self-service vending machine. Please sterilise your hands each time before you have drinks after having touched the hedgehogs.
      ● Hedgehogs may bite your fingers, etc, if in a bad mood. The tip to keep the hedgehogs in a good mood is to pet them gently.
      ● Hedgehogs hate strong lights. Please refrain from flash photography.
      ● Hedgehogs are very timid.
      ● Hedgehogs may bristle their spines when they hear sounds or voices above them, or when they are in the shade of your hands or face.
      ● Please do not look into the hedgehogs suddenly, and pet them gently.
      ● Hedgehogs have a great attachment to their house. We recommend you pet the hedgehogs in their house without lifting or carrying them.
      ● Hedgehogs may get surprised by sounds or lights, and get upset by unfamiliar smells.
      ● Hedgehogs may get injured severely when they fall from high places.