Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in Japan, updated continuously by our newsroom.
Japan Airlines (JAL) is powering its ongoing retail transformation following the recent move by the airline to deepen its strategic distribution partnership, with Amadeus becoming the airline’s recommended distribution partner for travel agents in Japan. The…
A trial to reduce business hours has resulted in a 59 percent drop in operating profits for FamilyMart Japan.The trial by the traditionally 24-hour convenience-store chain operator was conducted from October to December at around 600 FamilyMart outlets to…
Japanese pharmacy chains Matsumotokiyoshi and Cocokara Fine are entering into a merger. Under the terms of the new agreement – if approved by the boards of both sides – shares in the two firms will be transferred to a new business entity, with the transaction…
Retail sales in Japan dropped 2.6 percent during December compared to figures from the previous year. The details were released in a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry report last Friday, and stood in contrast to median market forecasts for a decline of…
The world’s first Louis Vuitton cafe and restaurant have opened inside the stunning new Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji in Japan. In cooperation with renowned chef Yosuke Suga, the first Louis Vuitton cafe, Le Cafe V is located on the top floor, featuring…
Japanese manga-related retailer Toranoana has partnered with Sanrio to open a collaborative store selling Sanrio character merchandise, in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. A variety of Sanrio character merchandise, including the famous Hello Kitty, are displayed…
Chinese tea chain Nayuki will launch its first stores in Japan and the US this year. The firm, which operates nearly 400 stores in China and three in Singapore, serves tea blended with fruit, cream cheese and toppings. “With our commitment to becoming an…
Japanese restaurant franchise Kura Sushi is launching in its third overseas market, China. The brand has already enjoyed some success in the US and Taiwan, and is now set to open its first Chinese mainland location in Shanghai. Ten further locations are…
Japanese corporate restaurateur Skylark Holdings says it will discontinue 24-hour trading of 150 stores by April. Skylark, one of Japan’s largest family-owned restaurant operators, owns the Jonathan’s and Gusto chains, among other brands. It launched 24-hour…
Japanese corporate restaurateur Skylark Holdings says it will discontinue 24-hour trading of 150 stores by April. Skylark, one of Japan’s largest family-owned restaurant operators, owns the Jonathan’s and Gusto chains, among other brands. It launched 24-hour…
UBS’s wealth management arm undergoes a major restructuring exercise led by the business’ global co-head Iqbal Khan and Tom Naratil. Through the reorganization, Khan will make his mark on the wealth management business’ highest growth market by region with…
Vietjet has unveiled a total of seven new routes, further expanding its international flight network. This includes the announcement of five new routes linking Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to multiple destinations in Japan, and the commencement of two…
Bag and carrying case manufacturer Freitag has opened its fourth outlet in Japan, which was featured in Designboom architectural magazine for its unique interior. The Swiss firm, which creates its products from used truck tarpaulins, has set up an 80sqm…
Japanese handcrafted-leather brand Tsuchiya Kaban has opened a store in Hong Kong’s K11 Art Mall. Inspired by the Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark’s natural volcanic rocks, the new Tsuchiya Kaban store’s design is described as “an ideal combination of Tsuchiya…
Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo will introduce the Ines De La Fressange 2020 Spring/Summer Collection next week. Selected items will be available online and at all stores from January 17 and the full collection will be exclusively available online, and in…
Asian private equity firm The Longreach Group has again acquired a Japanese coffee chain – this time the Caffe Veloce from Chat Noir Company. Without disclosing the amount of the transaction, The Longreach Group said it has agreed to buy Caffe Veloce, a year…
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