All Japan articles – Page 4
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AnalysisInternational analysis: Asia offers a glimpse of bricks-and-mortar’s future
Last week’s World Retail Congress Asia Pacific took a long look at the growth of online shopping in Asia.
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AnalysisInnovation watch: Tokyo's Pass the Baton reinvents second-hand goods
Located on Ometesando, one of Tokyo’s most prestigious retail boulevards, Pass the Baton (PTB) premiumises second-hand products through emotive storytelling.
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AnalysisInnovation watch: Tokyo chocolate shops providing gender-specific treats and candy theatre
Two very different, but innovative, confectionery concepts deliver experiential retail to sweet-toothed Tokyo residents.
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News
Rakuten records net revenue increase
Rakuten recorded a 15.3% increase in net revenue to ¥68.67bn (£439.2m) for its first quarter ended March 31.Net profit at the Japanese ecommerce group rose 6.8% to ¥15.73bn (£100.6m).Results were driven by a 14.5% increase in general merchandise sales at Rakuten Ichiba in Japan and 29.6% growth from Rakuten’s international ...
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News
Fast Retailing report net profit increase
Fast Retailing’s net profit rose 23% in its first quarter.For the September to November period, net profit increased to ¥38.4bn (£268.2m) from ¥31.15bn (£217.5m).Sales rose 17% on last year to ¥318.14bn (£2.22bn) and domestic sales increased 8% to ¥204.7bn (£1.43bn).The retailer’s sales from Uniqlo overseas rose 51.1% to ¥64.5bn (£450.4m) ...
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News
Fast Retailing takes a stake in J Brand
Clothing retailer Fast Retailing has agreed a deal with Star Avenue Capital to take an 80.1% stake in J Brand, with the balance owned by the denim brand’s management.The deal is due to be finalised by the end of the year, subject to approvals.
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News
Amazon unveils Family Mart partnership
Amazon has unveiled a partnership in Japan with convenience store business Family Mart, allowing customers to collect and pay for Amazon orders at the group’s 9,100 stores nationwide.Customers choosing to have their parcel shipped to a Family Mart store can pay online or in store using ‘Fami Port’ multimedia terminals.A ...
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News
Fast Retailing reports net income increase
Fast Retailing posted a 31.8% increase in net income for the year ended August 31.The clothing retailer revealed that group net profit surged to ¥71.65bn (£568.6m) compared with ¥54.35bn (£431.3m) the previous year.Sales rose 13% to ¥928.67bn (£7.37bn) from ¥820.35bn (£6.51bn). Operating profit increased 8.7% to ¥126.4bn (£1bn) from ¥116.37bn ...
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Uniqlo opens joint store concept with Bic Camera
Uniqlo and electronics retailer Bic Camera have opened their first joint ‘Bicqlo’ store in Tokyo.Uniqlo president Tadashi Yanai said he wanted to create Japan’s most prosperous store by combining Bic Camera’s busy shop ambience with that of Uniqlo.Yanai hopes to open similar stores in New York and Paris.
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OpinionComment: International expansion is important for long-term growth
At next month’s World Retail Congress, four retailers will be inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame: Sir Stuart Rose, Lew Frankfort, Dickson Poon and Sir Paul Smith.
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News
Yamada Denki to increase stake in domestic rival
Electronics retailer Yamada Denki plans to increase its stake in domestic rival Best Denki to more than 50%, up from 7.5% at present.Yamada Denki will invest ¥10bn (£81m), in an attempt to cement its leading position in the Japanese electronics market.Best Denki will remain a publicly listed company and retain ...
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Fast Retailing to open 1,000 new stores in Greater China
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing plans to open 1,000 new stores in Greater China. It currently operates 136 stores in the country.The company also plans to open more than 1,000 stores in Asia, excluding Japan and China.Company president Tadashi Yanai said: “Japan has only 100 million people. Asia has 4 billion. ...
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News
Seven & I to launch free home-delivery service
Convenience store business Seven & I is launching a free home-delivery service in August.The retailer aims to increase its offer to the elderly, who have difficulty with grocery shopping. The number of Japanese aged 65 or over has reached 29.7 million, accounting for 23% of the population.Seven & I plans ...
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News
J Front Retailing to double stake in shopping mall chain
Department store operator J Front Retailing plans to double its stake in shopping mall chain Parco, aiming to acquire up to 65% via a tender offer. The move follows J Front Retailing’s acquisition of 33.24% of Parco’s shares earlier this year.J Front Retailing is also aims to establish a new ...
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News
Seiyu to cut prices across 1,400 items
Walmart’s Japanese business Seiyu plans to cut prices across 1,400 grocery, clothing and homewares items by the end of the year.The reductions are designed to reflect changing consumer needs after the March 2011 earthquake.In the initial stage the retailer has lowered the price of 500 items in daily essentials and ...
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AnalysisReaction: Tesco reveals Japan exit strategy
Tesco revealed today it will exit Japan in two stages, the first of which involves selling 50% of the operation to Japan’s largest retailer Aeon for a “nominal sum”. The grocer will then form a joint venture with Aeon and will invest a further £40m into the business to finance further restructuring. Commentators believed the move made sense.
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News
Aeon opens shopping centre aimed at senior citizens
Multi-format retailer Aeon has opened its first shopping centre aimed at senior citizens in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.The venture is in response to the ageing trend in Japanese society. More than 30% of the population is 65 or older.The centre features a slower escalator speed, large signage, Aeon’s first directly run ...
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Seven & I Holdings posts 20% profit for year
Convenience store operator Seven & I Holdings has posted a 20% rise in operating profit to ¥292.1bn (£2.41bn) for the full year ended February 29, 2012. Net profit increased 16% to ¥129.8bn (£1.07bn), however net sales fell 11.4% to ¥4.01 trillion (£33.03bn) mainly due to a change in accounting methods ...
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News
Aeon launches new tablet device
Aeon has launched a tablet device, jointly developed with domestic telecoms company NTT and electronics manufacturer Sharp. The device is designed to help families organise their daily activities, manage schedules and communicate as well as facilitate online shopping via Aeon’s net support service app. Aeon plans to equip the tablet ...
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Japanese convenience store Lawson to expand in China
Convenience store operator Lawson has unveiled plans to step up its expansion in China. At present the retailer has 335 shops in the country and the intention is to have 10,000 by 2020. Lawson may consider an acquisition to rapidly increase its store network.Like other Japanese convenience store players, Lawson ...