Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in Japan, updated continuously by our newsroom.
After 54 years in operation, the popular Japanese burger chain Lotteria is set to be rebranded as Zetteria, beginning in March. The Lotteria brand first entered the market in 1972, establishing its inaugural outlet in Tokyo. The decision to retire the brand…
AS Watson, a health and beauty retail giant, has announced ambitious expansion plans for the coming year, with around 1,000 new stores expected to open. This move comes in response to a significant surge in customer engagement via the company’s loyalty…
Spanish luxury brand Loewe has continued its expansion in Asia with the opening of a new flagship store in Tokyo’s renowned Ginza district. Japan remains a crucial market for the brand, and the latest outlet signifies a strategic expansion of its retail…
Yoshihisa Tawara, a Japanese business owner, is taking measures to improve benefits for his Vietnamese employees in order to secure their continued employment. Tawara’s concerns arise from the fear that rapid economic development in Vietnam, combined with an…
Fast Retailing, which operates the Uniqlo clothing brand, has reported a significant increase in its quarterly operating profit, attributing the boost to a robust global sales growth. The increase in profits has enabled the company to withstand the impact of…
A sushi entrepreneur from Japan, who goes by the moniker “The Tuna King”, set a new record when he purchased a colossal bluefin tuna for an unprecedented 510.3 million yen (approximately US$3.25 million) at an auction held on Monday. Record-Breaking Purchase…
The government of Japan is preparing to significantly increase its investment in the semiconductors and artificial intelligence sectors. In the forthcoming fiscal year, the governmental budgetary support for these sectors is predicted to be almost four times…
Krispy Kreme, the renowned doughnut company, has struck a $65 million refranchising agreement with private equity firm Unison Capital. The agreement, which constitutes a significant milestone in Krispy Kreme’s revival strategy, is scheduled for finalization…
Rakuten Group, Inc., Rakuten Payment, Inc., Uber Japan Co., Ltd., and Uber Eats Japan, Inc. have revealed plans to augment their strategic alliance by incorporating Rakuten ID. This joint venture connects Uber, a prominent mobility and delivery platform in…
Bacha Coffee, a Moroccan coffee brand, has made a significant stride in its global growth strategy by establishing its inaugural Japanese flagship store in Tokyo’s luxurious Ginza district. Store Features and Design The flagship, situated in Ginza’s highly…
Japanese lifestyle company Human Made has successfully been registered on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market, indicating a significant development in the firm’s expansion strategies both locally and internationally. Company Overview Human Made was…
Terra Tokyo Italian, a unique fusion of Japanese and Italian dining in Singapore, has announced it will be saying farewell this coming December. The Michelin-star restaurant broadcasted the disheartening news in an Instagram post earlier this week, stating…
Japanese-themed full-service café chains are accelerating their proliferation across India and Southeast Asia. They are banking on the allure of their high-end atmosphere and Japan-centric menus to the emerging middle and upper-class consumers in these…
Spanish retailer, Zara, has inaugurated a new flagship store in the Shinsaibashi district of Osaka, marking the introduction of Japan’s inaugural Zacaffe. This innovative café concept is an initiative by the brand to establish a cultural symbiosis with every…
Goldman Sachs is reportedly in exclusive negotiations to acquire the Japan operations of Burger King from Hong Kong-based private equity firm, Affinity Equity Partners. The transaction is speculated to be worth around 70 billion yen (approximately US$452…
Japan demonstrated its aim to be a prominent platform for global fintech growth at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025. The country’s aspirations are bolstered by regulatory transparency, digital-asset amendments, and an increasing interest from investors.…
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