3-Jun-10
For a glimpse at the diverging consumer forces vexing luxury goods firms in Japan take a stroll through the ritzy Ginza district where upscale and discount retailers are battling for shoppers' attention like never before. (Reuters)
11, March 2010
Well-known French luxury brand Louis Vuitton and American premium retailer Barney's New York both opened new shops in Kobe's Iryuchi district earlier this month. The new stores are located in a premium shopping complex recently completed by Mitsui Fudosan, a major Japanese property developer.
09, March 2010
Although some Japanese retail segments are struggling with reduced demand, luxury shopping venues in Japan's city centers continue to expand.
10, July 2009
Major Japanese casual fashion retailer Uniqlo announced the name of it's highly anticipated tie-up collection with fashion designer Jil Sander earlier this week. The collection, originally announced in March of this year, will be dubbed "+J."
19, June 2009
American premium department store brand Barney's New York is continuing its expansion in the Japanese market. Earlier this month, the brand announced plans for its fifth Japanese location a new 3,300 square meter store in Fukuoka's stylish Tenjin area. The store is planned to open in the 2011-2012 timeframe.
02, June 2009
On June 1 French luxury jewelry brand Mauboussin gave away 5,000 cut diamonds at its flagship store in Tokyo's Ginza district. The promotional effort was desinged to increase brand awareness among Japanese consumers and drive visitors to the flagship store.
14, May 2009
Daikokuya, a major player in Japan's used luxury handbag market, recently announced the launch of its new luxury handbag rental services. A selection of previously owned luxury handbags is availble for rental via a new specially designed website. Rental offerings include a variety of items from Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Fendi and other top luxury brands popular in Japan.
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.
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
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
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
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.
12, February 2009
On February 10th, Tiffany & Co. announced its entire Japanese product line would be discounted an average of 9% starting February 11th.
12, February 2009
In a Koransha ceramics factory in Arita, on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, company president Noriyuki Fukagawa works to freshen up the product line-up of his premium Eizaemon Fukagawa ceramics brand. Commemorating 130 years of history, traditional Meiji Era design serves as the foundation for the brand's luxury ceramics, which capture traditional Japanese beauty.
05, February 2009
Fast Retailing, creators of Japanese casual fashion brand Uniqlo, recently announced its purchase of "Theory" a premium women's brand well established in the Japanese market.
January 22, 2009
Luxury mobile phone maker Vertu will open the doors of its first Japanese shop on February 19th, 2009 in Ginza, Tokyo. From opening day reservations will be taken for Vertu's three newest model phones models "Signature," "Ascent Ti," and "Ascent Ti Ferrari."
January 15, 2009
Tokyo's Ginza district is well known for its premium department stores, carrying the finest products from Japan, Europe and America. Many stand next door to each other in a constant state of competition.
January 15, 2009
Women in their 40s are garnering increased attention from Japanese luxury goods and services providers. Many women in this generation have continued to work full-time after marriage and children. They have relatively high disposable incomes and are increasingly looking to luxury goods and services providers for soothing, quality experiences.
January 08, 2009
Although China ranked 3rd in luxury goods consumption worldwide in 2008, concern over country of manufacture appears to be increasing among Chinese luxury consumers. According to World Luxury Association's "Global Luxury Report" 86% of Chinese luxury buyers feel negative toward international luxury brand items that are "Made in China."
December 18, 2008
NTT Docomo, LG Eletronics and Prada, announced the release of new a Silver Model Prada Phone strictly for the Japanese market on December 19, 2008.
December 18, 2008
Tiffany, Cartier and Bvlgari are the names that usually come to mind for jewelry in Tokyo. However, recently, Japanese upstart brand 4°C's rings are also increasing in popularity. In a recent poll the brand was ranked 5th after Chanel as the ring brand respondents would like "to most give as a Christmas gift."
December 11, 2008
Swiss luxury watch brand Jean Richard will collaborate with Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta to produce the "Chronos Scope MV Agusta" during December 2008.
October 30, 2008
Comfort Zone, one of Italy's top beauty spa and cosmetic brands, announced it would be launching in Japan on October 27, as "Comfort Japan." Comfort Zone shops and products are planned for introduction into numerous department stores, spa retailers, and resorts within Japan in the coming months.
October 16, 2008
There is a certain power held in iconic brands. The traditional luxury design signature to La Pelle Guccissma has been introduced again in a new vibrant, living color.
October 09, 2008
Kanebo Cosmetics has recently developed a new, top of the line moisturizing foundation to add to their line of "Aging Care" products. The "Dew Superior" line will feature this base makeup series, and will become available on October 16 in 2008.
October 02, 2008
A new luxury fragrance shop opened on October 1st, on the 10th floor of Nagoya's Takashimaya department store. Rare and unique fragrances are available newly designed and refurbished shop, forming the largest collection of luxury perfumes in Central Japan's Tokai region.
October 02, 2008
(Paris) Nokia Corporation's luxury brand, the Vertu mobile phone, will be released for sale into world markets in November of this year. The phone is constructed of either titanium or gold, and falls within a price range of $8,900-50,000 USD (roughly 89-500 million Japanese Yen).
August 20, 2008
The Hiroshima branch of premium department store chain Sogo has announced it will be expanding the amount of floor space dedicated to luxury brands. As part of a strategy to attract more customers, the department store's Hermes shop will be provided with 60% more sales space and relocated from the second to the first floor of the department store's new wing. The renovated Hermes shop will be the largest in Japan's central Chugoku region at 182.4 square meters, featuring clothing, women's and men's bags and leather goods and other assorted items.
July 23, 2008
On August 21 at the Tobu department store in Ikebukuro, forty-two watch making brands will gather for the largest watch display and sales event in Japan, the Tobu World Watch Fair.
July 23, 2008
For many Japanese, and in particular those who spend much of their days and nights pursuing their career, the internet is increasingly becoming an option for shopping for luxury goods. Though slow to start, many luxury brands have made great efforts in the past few years to increase their presence and online shopping capabilities.
June 23, 2008
The CEO of American luxury brand Coach, Lew Frankfort, recently spoke with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun about his brand and his thoughts on sales for Japan and the rest of the world.
May 16, 2008
On In the city of Kyoto, a battle over foreign luxury brands is unfolding among high end department stores. For many years the Kawaramachi area has been the location of Takashimaya, a department store focusing on high end consumers and luxury brands, as well as the central business area.
May 13, 2008
High end supermarkets in Japan are aiming for rapid expansion, with particular focus on expensive food products aimed at customers in the higher end of the age range.
April 17, 2008
The Japanese Ministry of Education, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) this week released their survey results on high school students spending in Japan, America, China, and Korea. The survey revealed Japanese high school students to be quite savvy in regards to high end brands and fashion and compared to the other countries, Japanese parents had a strong tendency not to interfere with their children's spending habits.
April 11, 2008
According to a recent survey by the Japanese online research company MyVoiceCom the most commonly owned high end brand in Japan is Burberry.14,452 registered members of the managing company My Voice responded to the survey.
April 4, 2008
The administrative merger of department store giants Mitsukoshi and Isetan has given way to the inauguration of Mitsukoshi-Isetan Holdings. With this merger they are expected to overtake Takashiyama Department Store and J-Front Retailing in sales to become the number one retailer in Japan.
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
