28, March 2009
Launched in 1974 and popularized during the 90s, Hello Kitty is now a world-renown icon. The Hilton sisters, Cameron Diaz and Mariah Carey are just a few of the celebrities known to be fans of famously cute Japanese kitty This iconic brand is now collaborating with MAC Cosmetics on a new line of products.
28, March 2009
Last April, Chrome Hearts, an American luxury brand known for jewelry and leather goods in gothic motifs, opened a revamped Tokyo flagship store. In an effort to combat reduced sales due to the economic downturn, Chrome Hearts Tokyo is now experimenting with a "supermarket sales style". Prices, product descriptions, and other information are now displayed on "pop-out tags", to encourage shoppers to interact with the products without additional aid from shop clerks.
28, March 2009
The Mille Migla began in northern Italy in 1927 as a 1000 mile long open road endurance race. The historic race is still loved by fans, and various related Mille Migla races and events such as the Rally Mille Miglia are still held every year.
26, March 2009
The beef used in the famously high-priced 175 USD hamburgers served in New York last year was not American ? It was Japanese. The luxury burgers featured Japanese Kobe beef - to complement Matsudake mushrooms, foie gras and Gruyere cheese. Japanese Kobe beef is well known as the highest quality beef in the world. In addition to carefully managed breeding practices, Kobe beef producers also massage their livestock and have even been known to play music for the animals to keep stress levels low - all in the effort to produce the world's best tastes meat.
19, March 2009
Coach Japan, the Japanese arm of American Luxury luggage maker Coach, has announced it will implement a qualifications testing system for staff beginning April 18th, in an effort to improve customer service levels. Two types of qualification tests will be implemented for "leather specialists" and "repair specialists".
19, March 2009
On March 17th, Fast Retailing, parent company for the popular Japanese brand Uniqlo, announced its entrance into a contract with Jil Sander, a German fashion designer. The contract involves design consulting for Uniqlo products.
19, March 2009
Japanese boutique farmers have discovered a new export market-Russia. High quality "Amaou" strawberries from Fukuoka in Southern Japan have recently become a very popular luxury food among Moscow's elite.
19, March 2009
Levis Japan has recently announced the opening of "Cinch Tokyo" a new luxury concept store in Tokyo's Minami-Aoyama, a district known for high end, cutting-edge fashion. The store is the first of its kind in Japan.
19, March 2009
American online luxury shoppers may already be familiar with www.gilt.com, a discount online luxury retailer, offering discontinued premium branded items at steep discounts. The members-only online retailer has recently commenced Japanese operations with a localized version of their site (www.gilt.jp/np) and will offer items from over 30 different luxury brands. Products will be sold for 50-70% off the market price during a 36 hour limited time online sale, celebrating the Japanese site's launch.
12, March 2009
March 3rd marked the opening of the first H.P. France select shop, "soup of her art" in Omotesando, Tokyo. This select shop displays the works of female creators and designers from all over the world.
12, March 2009
Beginning March 14th, Prada Japan will be discounting prices up to 10% on some of their most popular products. Prada bags will make up the majority of the items to be discounted, and 1/4 of the discounts will be geared towards clothing and other items. These discounts will be available at all 38 store locations in Japan. This marks the first time that Prada will discount such a wide range of items at one time. The discounts are in response to the current economic situation, as well as anticipation of a sales war between luxury retailers during the spring and summer seasons.
12, March 2009
Hilton Hotels Corporation, with the recent addition of the Denizen Hotels brand, now holds 11 different hotel brands. Denizen Hotels is positioned with Hilton's other "Luxury and Lifestyle" brands, including well known names such as Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Collection, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts.
12, March 2009
According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, counterfeit luxury brand imports restricted at customs rose 16.6% in 2008. The number of cases involving counterfeit branded goods confiscated by Japanese customs officials totaled 26,415. 80% of these cases involved goods manufactured in China.
05, March 2009
On the 19th of March, a new Forbes Magazine edition will be released highlighting the top 40 wealthiest individuals in Japan. CEO Mr. Tadashi Yanai of Fast Retailing, the umbrella company responsible for Uniqlo brand clothing, has become number one on the list for the first time. With a net worth of 570,000,000,000 JPY (6,100,000,000 USD), up 14 million dollars from the previous year, Mr. Yanai boosted himself into first place.
05, March 2009
The newly-opened Shangri-la Hotel is located in front of the JR Tokyo Station. It is located on the 27th to 37th floors of the Marunouchi Trust Tower building. The hotel offers a total of 202 standard rooms, priced at around 700 USD (70,000 JPY) per night without tax and service charges. Luxury rooms sized at around 269 sq meters cost as much as 10,000 USD (1,000,000 JPY) per night. The Shangri-la is hoping to attract guests with its' superior location and stellar interior décor.
05, March 2009
Japanese luxury department store brand Takashimaya is scheduled to open in Shanghai in 2012. The plans were made official on the 23rd of February at a government office in Shanghai, China.
1. Daikokuya Launches Online Luxury Handbag Rental Services
3. Korean Cosmetic Brand Opens New Salon Hanbang Ginza 10/19/08 Grand Opening
4. Online shopping for luxury goods in Japan
5. Gucci Café's Tart Heart Special Menu
6. Shiseido and Kanebo compete with premium cosmetics brands
7. Luxury brand Cartier decides to begin their online sales in the Japanese market
8. Chrome Hearts Tokyo - New Sales Approach
9. Kyoto stores compete for luxury brand market and customer attention
