Tokyo Fashion Daily

Shinjuku Isetan's Renewal

2012-01-28T14:45:00.001+09:00

It has been a trend among department stores in Japan over the past few years to renovate and renew their Tokyo flagship department stores.

The most recent and newest department store renewal will be completed and be ready to open next spring.

Isetan has settled for a radical interior design that although will decrease retail shopping space by up to 12% will change and improve the way customers shop; first by pulling them into Shinjuku Isetan department store and then by making for more comfortable and exciting shopping experience.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings is optimistic on their new design for Shinjuku Isetan that they expect sales to increase 5% in the first year of the completion of the renewal.

Information Isetan Mistukoshi Holdings Ltd.

Taka-Q

2012-01-27T16:51:00.001+09:00

Riding a high stock price and increased sales Japan-based apparel company Taka-Q has increased its net profit forecast for fiscal year 2011 (ending February 2012) to 100 million yen from an initial loss of 150 million yen.

Taka-Q as other apparel companies are enjoying increased sales due to the colder weather which is pushing sales of winter apparel and outdoor wear.

Information Taka-Q

Shoo-La-Rue

2012-01-25T12:11:00.003+09:00

In an attempt to expand their business while keeping costs down World Co. will for the first time begin opening franchise stores and converting some own-stores to franchise stores for their Shoo-La-Rue brand.

World Co. plans on expanding their Shoo-La-Rue outlet business to 30 franchise stores and increase sales by 30% by the end of the fiscal year 2012.

Two of the first franchise store to open up will be in Okayama and Fukui where Shoo-La-Rue own-stores at Tenmaya Store and Yasusaki Group will be converted from own-stores into franchise stores.

Information World Co.

Korean International Style Show

2012-01-24T16:55:00.000+09:00

Starting tomorrow and ending this Friday, Girls Award presents KISS – Korean International Style Show.

This first joint Japan Korea exhibition of its kind will be hosted at Yoyogi National Gymnasium and will showcase the latest fashion and music artists as well as popular models from Korea and Japan including designer Lie Sang Bong, music performers Kara, and model Ai Tominaga - plus many more.

With already 33,000 tickets sold KISS will be an event not to be missed, so don't miss it.

Tickets are available here.

Tokyo Fashion Daily will cover the event and interview popular Korean designer Lie Sang Bong. Check back for photos and coverage notes after this weekend.

Nozomi Sasaki launches her own line

2012-01-22T13:18:00.001+09:00

Last week in partnership with Aoyama Trading Co. well-know model Nozomi Sasaki launched her new fashion line "n-line by nozomi".

The new collection which targets female university students and young business women launched in Yofuku-no-Aoyama stores throughout Japan this past Friday.

Aoyama Trading Co. is optimistic and is betting Nozomi Sasaki's popularity will bring in sales from young women and is already forecasting 2 billion yen for the spring/summer collection.

Information Aoyama Trading Co.

Japan Department Stores Up

2012-01-20T16:13:00.001+09:00

For the first time in six month sales at Japanese department stores increased. December's increase of 0.8% was the first sales increase since June 2011.

Finishing December at 731 billion yen in sales, Japanese department stores were still down 2% for the year (2011) to mark the fifteenth straight yearly decrease in sales.

With January sales at Japan department stores already off to a good start most department stores are expecting and forecasting same-store sales to also increase this month.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

AEO Not Wasting Anytime

2012-01-19T15:14:00.002+09:00

With the first American Eagle Outfitters store set to open in Harajuku at the intersection of Omotesando and Meiji dori on Wednesday 18 April, AEO is not wasting anytime as the next day, Thursday 19 April AEO will open their second store in Odaiba'sTokyo Bay.

Even with the competitive casual apparel market in Japan shrinking *1.9% in 2010 and the market saturated with low-cost casual apparel retailers; Japanese and foreign, AEO believes Japan can be a 10 billion yen market for them by 2016.

AEO's merchandise assortment does well with the teen to young adult market in North America but will its success in the US and Canada translate to sales in Japan?

Information AEO & *Yano Research Institute

H&M Nagoya

2012-01-18T15:19:00.001+09:00

Currently with 15 stores in Japan and plans double that number, Hennes & Mauritz will open their 16th in Nagoya in April.

The new Nagoya H&M will open in Matsuzakaya Nagoya on Saturday 21 April and cover a huge 3,200 sqm spread out over two floors and will sell men's, women's and children's merchandise.

Matsuzakaya, no stranger to fast-fashion brands currently has Forever 21 as a tenant in their Ginza department store as well as the popular brand Free Shop.

With Forever 21 performing well in Ginza; driving customers and sales why is Matsuzakaya turning to H&M as a new tenant?

Information J. Front Retailing

Uniqlo Ginza Renewal

2012-01-17T14:49:00.001+09:00

Next month on 16 March Fast Retailing will reopen their Uniqlo Ginza flagship store.

When complete the renewed store will be 5,000 square meters and be the largest Uniqlo store globally.

The Ginza Uniqlo will continue to offer the Uniqlo's full product line including women's and men's apparel and will be only the second global flagship store for Uniqlo after Osaka Shinsaibashi.

Currently there are 831 Uniqlo stores in Japan.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

g.u. in Ginza

2012-01-16T11:36:00.000+09:00

Fast Retailing announced it will open a g.u. flagship in Ginza at the end of March. In addition to the Ginza flagship Fast Retailing will open up 43 more g.u. stores throughout Japan focusing in mostly urban centers. With the opening of these new g.u. stores Fast Retailing will expand the g.u. retail network to almost 200 doors by the end of their fiscal year this August. g.u.'s popularity comes from their prices which are up to 50% less than Uniqlo, and Fast Retailing is optimistic the continuing popularity will help sales at g.u. increase 60% by the end of the fiscal year in August bringing g.u.'s total sales for the year to 500 billion yen. With the addition of g.u. Ginza 6chome's transformation from luxury-mecca to fast-fashion outlet is almost complete. Information Fast Retailing Co.

Japan retail sales still improving

2012-01-12T15:18:00.001+09:00

In another sign the health of the retail economy is returning and the overall economy is improving is sales of luxury goods including handbags, accessories and jewelry were up in December and are still rising almost mid-way through January.

Four out of the five major department stores including Takashimaya and J. Front Retailing reported an increase in pre-tax profits in December 2011, as well the major department stores have experienced a strong start to the year.

Another good sign is young people in their 20's and 30's are leading the retail economic comeback with their purchases of high-priced luxury goods.

Let's hope this positive trend continues throughout 2012, ガンバルニッポン！

Information Japan Department Stores Association

the Crystal Cage in Philadelphia

2012-01-07T01:29:00.000+09:00

Traveling the world and shopping for a living sounds like a dream job for anyone and for Kelly Reynolds she took this dream job one step further when on 1 October 2001 she opened the Crystal Cage boutique where she could sell her global fashion finds.

The Crystal Cage which takes its name from an idea of Kelly’s mother carries hand select artisan designed jewelry, handbags, fine gifts and accessories, selected specifically for the Crystal Cage and often by request. Popular brands include Burberry, Chanel, D&G, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Marc Jacobs, Martin Margiela, Miu Miu, Prada, Pucci, Tiffany, Tory Burch and many more including local artisans and designers.

Kelly has built a strong and loyal following of customers who have quickly become friends and upon entering the Crystal Cage one can see why as Kelly’s friendly and dynamique personality along with her strong sense of style that translates into a true visual experience instantly captivate you.

The eclectic selection of merchandise includes just about everything to accessorize every part of your life. From eyeglass cases to crystal cocktail glasses, from clocks and watches to jewels and boxes. Hats, bags, belts and buckles. And with Crystal Cage’s location nestled between antique shops, design studios, and restaurants it is a truly enjoyable shopping experience.

The Crystal Cage located in Philadelphia, PA at 1116 Pine Street. To learn more please visit their web site here, and stop by on your next shopping excursion in Philadelphia.

Uniqlo up in December

2012-01-06T01:30:00.002+09:00

For the first time in five months Fast Retailing's Uniqlo saw sales increase with a 14.2% increase in December (2011) same-store sales comps.

Along with the increase in same-store sales in December Uniqlo also experienced an increase in same-store customers of 2.4% and sales per customer of 11.6%.

According to Fast Retailing the increase in sales came from strong sales of winter merchandise including their popular Heattech line and ultra-light down jackets.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

ABC Mart for the Record

2012-01-05T03:37:00.000+09:00

Footwear retailer ABC Mart has set a new company record for the period March to November (2011) with group operating profits rising 4% to 20 billion yen.

Same-store sales were also up 4% for the period driven by strong sales in excercise shoes and business footwear. Group sales increased 8% to over 100 billion yen, with pretax profits increasing to over 19 billion yen.

Overseas sales for ABC Mart also increased 16% to 13 billion yen with most overseas sales coming from South Korea.

For the year ending February 2012 ABC Mart is forecating group sales to increase 11% to 141.6 billion yen while operating profit increases 6% to 28.5 billion yen.

ABC Mart currently has 64 stores in Japan

Information ABC Mart Inc.

Lucky Bags lead the way in 2012 for Japanese retailers

2012-01-04T01:22:00.000+09:00

So far the beginning of 2012 has been a sales boon for Japanese department stores and other retailers. The increase is coming mostly from the sale of lucky bags.

Consumers were already lining up in front of most major department stores and retailers like Shibuya's 109 and Harajuku's LaForet on Monday for the start of the shopping year, and all were hoping to be lucky enough to get their hands one of the lucky bags filled with up to 200,000 yen worth of merchandise including not only apparel, accessories and food but this year also survival goods.

Most department stores have already sold out of their lucky bags and there are still more to be found at retailers and select shops.

Information Japanese Department Stores Association

Isetan Mitsukoshi's New Culture

2011-12-30T05:46:00.000+09:00

"Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. will strive to cultivate a corporate culture that encourages new endeavors even if they require taking risks", said Director Hiroshi Onishi, who takes over as president Feb. 1.

Department stores in Japan usually are not know for their risk taking, but if what Hiroshi Onishi the incoming president of Isetan Mitsukoshi says is true than this could begin a whole new era of change for Japan's department stores.

Do you think Japan's department stores can really change, even if it hinges their very survival?

Quote Nikkei

Forever 21 Fukuoka

2011-12-30T05:34:00.001+09:00

In the spring of 2012 Forever 21 will celebrate the opening of their sixth store in Japan with their newest flagship in Hakata, Fukuoka.

The Hakata flagship will be three stories and carry apparel and accessories for women, men and children.

The Hakata Flagship opening is part of their plan to expand outside of the Tokyo metropolitan area and will be followed by new shops in Osaka and Nagoya in the near future.

There is no word yet on plans for the Forever 21 flagship in Ginza once Matsuzakaya department store closes its doors in 2013, but as more brands flock to Ginza premium retail property could run out soon.

Information Forever 21

J. Front Retailing Feeling Optimistic

2011-12-29T00:32:00.001+09:00

Optimistic for 2012, J. Front Retailing, owner and operator of Daimari and Matsuzakaya Department Stores, has increased its operating profit forecast 1% to 20.5 billion yen. The original forecast for their yearly operating profit was 19.3 billion yen but J. Front Retailing is expecting sales of luxury goods including jewelry, watches, RTW and ACC to increase in 2012.

Will the rest of the Japanese economy share in J. Front Retailing's sentiment?

Information J. Front Retailing Co.

Takashimaya Results

2011-12-28T01:43:00.001+09:00

Earnings for Takashimaya Department Store were mixed for the period March to November 2011.

Profits before taxes were up 7% to 14.7 billion yen while operating revenue was down 2% for the same period.

The increase in profits came from cost-cutting and cost-saving measures.

Information Takashimaya Co.

American Eagle Outfitter's Ambitious Plans

2011-12-27T00:34:00.000+09:00

This April American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) will open their first and second stores in Japan. The first two locations chosen for AEO were Harajuku and Odaiba. Each store will be between 800 to 1,000 sqm and are planned to be the first two of ten stores to open in Japan by 2014.

Even with the competitive casual apparel market in Japan shrinking *1.9% in 2010 and The market saturation with low-cost casual apparel retailers; Japanese and foreign, AEO believes Japan can be a 10 billion yen market for them by 2016.

AEO's merchandise assortment does well with the teen market in North America but will its success in the US and Canada translate to sales in Japan?

Information AEO & *Yano Research Institute

Cherokee Partners with Nishimatsuya

2011-12-23T03:21:00.000+09:00

Children's wear company Cherokee through a licensing agreement with Nishimatsuya relaunched their brand on Monday in Japan. With the licensing agreement Nishimatsuya will not only manufacture Cherokee's apparel, accessories and foootwear but will also introduce Cherokee to their network of 800 retail doors and online.

Information Cherokee Inc. & Nishimatsuya Chain Co. Ltd.

Gaultier's Black Cancan

2011-12-22T02:03:00.002+09:00

The newest and maybe darkest product to come out of the partnership between Jean Paul Gaultier and Piper-Heidsieck is Black Cancan; a vintage bottle of champagne made of black lurex and covered in black crystal by Swarovski. For about 65,000 yen you can get this limited edition 2000 champagne and two Schott Zwiesel crystal champagne glasses in a black and red case.

Get yours quick as they will only produce 500 to be sold in Japan, the US and France.

Information WWD

Isetan Mitsukoshi's Overseas Expansion

2011-12-21T01:11:00.001+09:00

With thirteen stores currently in Asia and the Japan market consolidating, Isetan Mitsukoshi will open an additional six stores in Asia including China over the next six years.

As Japanese department stores have been experiencing negative same-store-sales on a year-to-year basis over the past decade they are increasingly looking to Asia to help boost their overall sales.

Currently Isetan Mitsukoshi has 40 million yen is overseas sales and is forecasting up to 100 million yen in sales by 2018.

Information Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings & Japan Department Stores Association

The Madame Selection

2011-12-20T02:12:00.003+09:00

As Japan's economy slowly turns grey, retailers and other businesses must learn to adapt if they are going to be successful in attracting a maturing consumer who will soon out number their younger counterparts.

Department stores in Japan not usually known for adapting to long-term market trends are now doing just that. Currently about 40-50% of customers at Japan’s department stores are over 50 years old with 60 year olds making up 30% of those customers. Preparing for the grey consumer Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores will soon expand upon the success of their existing Madame Selection from their Ueno Matsuzakaya and Kyoto Daimaru stores to its major urban stores. The Madame Selection will carry popular brands for women 60 years and older.

Are other Japanese department stores doing something similar and if not do you think they will adapt to this demographic shift?

Information Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. & Japan Department Stores Association

Former Emanuel Ungaro Men's Designer partners with Itochu

2011-12-17T23:57:00.000+09:00

After securing the exclusive distribution rights for French menswear designer Franck Boclet, Itochu will begin distributing his first signature line from the Fall/Winter 2012 collection.

The Franck Boclet brand will be sold in select specialty stores and department stores.

Information Itochu Corp & WWD