Julien David in Paris

Tokyo-based French designer Julien David will show his first collection on 8 March at a gallery in Saint-Germain, Paris. The collection which was produced with a factory in Ichnomiya, Japan features three different kinds of wool and consists of outerwear including coats and jackets as well as sweaters, shawls, coordinate tops, dresses and silk scarves


Information Julien David and WWD

Luxury Lingerie for China

Global intimate apparel maker Wacoal will launch a new line of luxury lingerie in China under their Salute and Amphi brands. The line which launches today will cost about 23,000 yen for a bra and about 10,000 yen for panties.

The lingerie will be silky with lace adornments and be produced in Japan. Wacoal forecasts sales of 5 billion yen for 2011 and 10 billion yen for 2012.

Wacoal is targeting fashionable-Chinese women who are willing to spend to not only feel good but too also look good underneath their fashionable wears.

Wacoal, founded as Wako Shoji in 1946, designs, manufactures and sells brassieres, panties, shapewear, camisoles and accessories

Information Wacoal Corporation

Zozotown Keeps Growing, Growing & Growing!

Zozotown, the online etailer who has take Japan online fashion by surprise and to the next level of online fashion sales and marketing saw their January sales increase over 51% for the year to 8.2 billion yen. Not only did Zozotown experience a huge increase in sales they also saw their members increase over 200,000 to almost 3 million with over 1 million users making a purchase in the last twelve months.

With key partnerships, collaborations and expansion of their site Zozotown can expect their members and sales to increase and to become one of, if not the premium online fashion etailer.

Information Zozotown

Parco Makes Their China Move

Still in the midst of a finalizing a deal with retail giant Aeon, Parco yesterday announced they will open an office in Hong Kong next week on 1 March to support their expansion into China.

The first two locations in China will be opened by the beginning of 2013 and be 100,000 sqm in size, five times larger than their stores in Japan. The oversized Parco shopping malls will also have a mixture of Japanese and Chinese tenants.

Information Parco Co.

Another One Bites the Dust

Next fiscal year Seven & i Holdings will close their second department store in Japan in less than two years.

Sogo department store in Hachioji which first opened in 1983 has been bleeding money for years. The 30,000 sqm space finished fiscal year 2010 with over 23 billion yen in sales, good but not good enough to stave off the inevitable. Even as more people are relocating to the suburbs department stores in city centers traditionally do more business – which is where Seven & i Holdings and other department stores giants are focusing their resources.

So, say goodbye to Sogo Hachioji and get in line now to get your discount on excess inventory.

Information Seven & i Holdings

Aeon & Parco Update

This just in – Parco has agreed to a partnership with Aeon and will sell a stake of over 12% to them, making them the second largest shareholder at Parco.

With news of this partnership hitting the markets Parco’s stock rose 32 yen to 863 yen during this morning’s trading.

Will this partnership lead to a merger between Aeon and Parco or as Parco fears a full-on takeover?

Information Nikkei

Aeon Courts Parco as a Retail Partner

Aeon Co., looking to expand into Japan city centers is looking to partner with Parco Co. and take advantage of their prime locations, fashionable tenants and young demographic.

Currently Aeon has about 110 retail locations in Japan located in mostly suburban areas, whereas Parco has about 20 retail locations in Japan located mostly in city centers.

In order to expand and become a big player in the retail market Aeon needs what Parco has, though it seems Parco is not ready to give it up just yet. For the past few years Parco has been playing hard to get with Aeon resisting their offers of partnership.

With a company the size of Aeon how long can Parco really hold out?

Information Aeon Co. & Parco Co.

An End to an Era: Ellesse Ski Wear & Goldwin

After a 35 year relationship Goldwin will stop selling Ellesse Ski Wear. The move which will take effect after this winter season will end a strong and profitable relationship that began when Goldwin first acquired rights for Ellesse Ski Wear for Japan in 1976.

Even though Ellesse Ski Wear accounts for about 70% of all Japan sales, Goldwin has decided to reallocate their resources and focus on their own ski line by expanding internationally. Goldwin predicts international ski sales to increase and make up more than 50% of their ski wear sales this decade.

Ellesse Ski Wear with strong sales and brand recognition should have no problem finding a new distributor. Interested parties please contact Ellesse.

Information Goldwin Inc.

Japan Department Stores Back to Business as Usual

January same-store-sales at department stores in Japan fell 1.1% to 554 billion yen. This is the third straight month department store same-store-sales have fallen – hopefully they will not match their record of 31 consecutive months of declining same-store-sales.

Meanwhile same-store-sales at Tokyo department stores increase 1.4% to 136 billion yen, recovering from two previous months of consecutive same-store-declines.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Uniqlo + Facebook

Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo has launched a Facebook page allowing the over 600 million members of the community networking site to put up photos of themselves adorned in the latest Uniqlo fashion.

You can check it out and post a pic of yourself here.

Information Fast Retailing Company

Picture Facebook/Uniqlo Company

Uniqlo's Fashion and Functionability

Fast Retailing will be rolling out 10 million pieces of twelve different styles of cargo pants and chinos for men and women this spring with prices of 1,990 yen and 3,990 yen.

Expect the new spring pants to be in Uniqlo stores before the spring as Fast Retailing likes to get an early jump start on the season, every season.

Question; are people still wearing cargo pants? I thought they were so 1990s.

Information Fast Retailing Corporation and Nikkei

A&F: Been There, Done That

Surprisingly, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported a gigantic gain of 95.1% in net profits for the fourth quarter 2010 from a sales increase of 22.8%.

Sales were strong across both the US and Europe with same-store-sales increasing 13%.

Unfortunately the news is not all good as not surprisingly sales in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2010 were once again down.

What can you expect when you have only 150 people waiting in line for the Fukuoka flagship opening in November 2010 compared to over 1,000 people for the Ginza opening in December 2009.

When you enter an Abercrombie & Fitch store in Japan the Japanese models will greet you with “What’s going on”? I have better one – Abercrombie & Fitch “Been there, done that”.

Information Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Look Inc. Looks to China

With a still weakened economy showing little sign of recovering and waning domestic demand Look Inc. plans to increase their production of women’s RTW and ACC for mainland China. More merchandise will not only be made for China but also will made in China – about 80% worth.

Look Inc. together with their Chinese subsidiary Look China Inc. will realize additional cost efficiencies by basing more production in China as well as material and logistics including shipping.

Look Inc. will join the ranks of Honey and Fast Retailing – apparel companies which are increasingly producing more products in China for China.

Information Look Inc.

GAP Ginza Update

This year is the 15th anniversary of GAP in Japan and to celebrate this auspicious occasion GAP will be opening up their new store in Ginza. The new Ginza store opening by this spring will be 2,000 sqm of sales space spread out through the 1st to 4th floors.

The new GAP store will not only carry GAP apparel and accessories for men, women, kids and babies but also the GAP Body and Personal Care lines which launched in Japan in 2010.

A First in Japan for Tracy Reese

Next Friday on 25 February, Detroit-native Tracy Reese will open her first flagship in Japan in Omotesando Hills. The shop which will be her second flagship in the world after New York will be 500sqf and carry all three of her lines; Tracy Reese, Frock and Plenty.

Partnering with Itochu since 2007 Tracy Reese experienced strong sales growth of 20% from 2009 – 2010.
Information Tracy Reese & Itochu Corporation

Mizuno Up in Quarter 3

Osaka-based Mizuno Corp reported an increase in third quarter profits due to strong sales in the US, Europe and Asia – with a decrease in sales in Japan.  Mizuno reported a 44% increase of 1.6 billion yen in net income for the period ending December 2010.

By region sales rose 16% in the US, 20% in Europe, and 1% in Asia while falling 2% in Japan.

For the fiscal year ending March 2011 Mizuno is forecasting a net income of 2 billion yen on net revenue of 150 billion yen.

Information Mizuno Corporation

Business as Usual: Sales Down & Profits Up at Isetan Mitsukoshi

Coming of a strong third quarter Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings reported a net profit of 12.6 billion yen for the previous nine months ending December 2010, up from 2009 when they reported a loss of 10.50 billion yen. Operating profit also rose 63.7% to 13.7 billion yen during the same period.


Even with sales down 4.4% for the previous nine months ending December 2010, Isetan Mitsukoshi is forecasting 15 billion yen in net profit and 9 billion yen in operating profit, both an increase from 2009.

Information Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings

Amidst Higher Costs Shimamura See Profits Rise

Shimamura is forecasting a record-high group operating profit of 4% for fiscal year ending February 2012. The current operating profit for the year ending February 2011 is set to increase 6% to over 39 billion yen.

Shimamura plans on increase group operating profit through private label apparel sales at their Shimamura Fashion Centers as well as opening their first store in China this year with plans on opening 10 additional stores over the next three years.

Shimamura Co. is a Japan-based apparel (sales) company operating their own Shimamura Fashion Centers as well as stores Avail, Birthday, Chambre, and Divalo.

Information Shimamura Co. Ltd.

2010 Was a Good Year for Aoki

Aoki Holdings, parent company of Anniversaire reported a 30% increase in group operating profit for the nine months ending December 2010. Profits rose due to an increase in same-store-sales for the year of about 3% - Aoki experienced eleven straight months of positive same-store-sales for from February to December 2010. Overall sales for Aoki also increased to over 97 billion yen with sales of their apparel business making up a majority of their profits.

For the year Aoki is forecasting an increase in sales of over 130 billion yen and an increase of operating profit of 3% to 10.3 billion yen,

Information Aoki Holdings Inc.

Fast Retailing Turns to Innerwear to Boost Profits

With sales down overall in the apparel category Fast Retailing is taking a sure thing – innerwear – and increasing production and improving design in the hopes of increasing sales.

Coming off a season of strong sales for Heattech, Fast Retailing is readying for the sweltering summer by improving their Silky Dry/Sarafine design, adding an odor-busting function which will be most welcome to all who commute by train. Gearing up for summer Fast Retailing is going to produce 36 million pieces in anticipation of strong sales during the hot and humid summer.

2010 was a difficult year for Fast Retailing when it came to same-store decreases due to the weather. It seems this year so far Mother Nature is cooperating with Fast Retailing and same-store sales are off to a good start with January experiencing a 10% increase, their first rise in six months.

Information Fast Retailing Company

Just what Japan needs; another department store

On the third of next month H2O Retailing Corporation will open Hankyu department store at Hakata station. The new department store, Hakata Hankyu will be over 80,000 sqm in retail sales space and will occupy nice floors in total - from the first basement to the eighth floor. Most of the who’s who of brands will be represented inside Hakata Hankyu including United Arrows, Coach, and many more.

With a population of a little over 200,000 residents this new Hankyu is located at Hakata station and is a major hub for business travelers, though it does not necessarily make it a good idea to build a behemoth department store there especially when Hankyu and its contemporaries are not faring well in respect to sales in major urban areas i.e., Tokyo.

Information Hankyu Department Store

H&M to open Lucky Eleven

Next month Hennes & Mauritz will open their eleventh store in Japan. This new store will be located in the new shopping center at Futako Tamagawa station and will be about 2,000 square meters.

Recently, when speaking with several CEOs at fashion companies in Japan, they informed me they are considering closing down stores in Tamagawa as same-store sales have been decreasing for a long time and they do not expect them to increase anytime in the near future. Does H&M know something theese CEOs don’t know? Or, do they think their company is recession-proof?

If it is the latter they should read the following article in WWD.

Information Hennes & Mauritz

Jimmy Choo to Go it Alone in Japan

Footwear and accessory company Jimmy Choo will take full control of their retail and wholesale business in Japan. Currently Jimmy Choo owns 50% of a joint venture with Bluebell Japan – Bluebell owns the other 50%.

Heading the new, wholly-owned Jimmy Choo Tokyo K.K. will be Bruno Benson as President and CEO. Jimmy Choo Tokyo and Bluebell Japan will still work closely together as Bluebell continues to provide support services, distribution and the license for the first Jimmy Choo fragrance.

Under the new company, Jimmy Choo plans on opening 18 new stores in the Asia-Pacific region.

Information Jimmy Choo & Bluebell Japan Ltd.

Columbia Names New CEO

U.S.-based sportswear company Columbia Sportswear has hired Massimo Lazzari as their new president for their Japan operations. Massimo who has been in Japan for over twenty years as extensive experience in the fashion and luxury sector working for brands like Miss Sixty, Tod’s and Salvatore Ferragamo. Massimo will take over immediately from the current CEO Sano, Toshio will retire at the end of March this year.

Massimo’s background has been with mostly fashion and luxury companies so it will be interesting to see how he performs in an American sportswear company. Buona fortuna Massimo.

Information Columbia Sportswear Company

Sazaby lands Band of Outsiders

Sazaby League has signed the coveted Japan distribution rights for the Los Angeles brand Band of Outsiders. Included in the rights to distribute Band of Outsiders in Japan Sazaby will also open the brand’s first flagship store this summer.

Japan currently makes up 25% of sales for Band of Outsiders and sales are expected to increase with the new distribution deal.

Information Sazaby League

Uniqlo Reports an Increase in January Same-Store Sales

For the first time in six months Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo saw an increase in same-store sales. Same-store sales for January 2011 increased 10.7% compared to January 2010. Along with the increase in same-store sales Uniqlo also reported an increase in customer traffic of 9.5% and sales per customer of 1.2%.


This is a good start to the year for Uniqlo – let’s hope this trend continues and the weather is cooperative in 2011.

Information Fast Retailing Company

Laura Ashley aims to become relevant again in Japan

Laura Ashley, the eponymous line started by the designer in Kent, England in 1953 is vying for a comeback in Japan. Laura Ashley first launched in Japan in the 1980s and had a strong following among women including housewives and office workers, though as their customers aged so did their products, no longer being relevant in a market targeting women in their 20s and 30s. Now, Aeon plans on changing all that by opening new Laura Ashley stores, improving current stores, and launching a Japan only collection line.

Does the Laura Ashley brand that began with Victoria style headscarves have what it takes to become relevant again in Japan’s competitive and saturated market?

Japan Department Stores do it right in January

Thanks to the cold temperatures and major winter apparel sales four of the big Five Japanese Department Stores experienced an increase in same-store sales for January 2011.

The biggest increase in sales came from Mitsukoshi which enjoyed an 8.1% increase, followed by Takashimaya which reported a 1.3% increase and then Hankyu which logged a 1.1% increase. The only decrease in January same-store sales came from Daimaru Matsuzakaya which reported a 3.2% decrease – but in this case they faulted the cold weather for the drop in customers and sales.

Interesting how cold weather helped four of the department stores increase sales in January and proved to be a negative for the fifth.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Bathing Ape Sold!

I.T. Limited, the Chinese distributor of Bathing Ape has purchased 90% of Bathing Ape’s parent company Nowhere Companyy.  I.T. Ltd, headquartered in Hong Kong paid about 230 million yen for the Bape street wear brand.

Founder and owner Nigo also know as Nagao, Tomoaki will remain as creative director for the brand until 2013 overseeing all design, fabrication and the overall brand vision.

Bathing Ape was founded by Nigo in 1993 and is known around the world due to its flashy designs and unique & creative artwork.

Information I.T. Limited

Bershka in Shibuya

Next month (March), Bershka will open their first flagship store in Japan.

Bershka created in 1998 is one of the youngest brands of Inditex, parent company of Zara and one of the top three largest fashion distributors in the world. Over the last ten years Bershka has opened over 600 stores in 42 countries across the globe and their sales make up 10% of revenue for Inditex.

The Bershka store opening in Shibuya is the first in Japan and will be four floors and carry men's and women’s apparel, accessories and shoes including BSK; a trendy collection for young customers, Bershka their eponymous collection which targets the most fashionable of customers and Man for well, men; offering denim and fashionable casual basics.

Expect a unique and constantly changing interior with the latest urban artwork and music to maximize your shopping experience – and of course long lines.

You can line up now at 1-4F Zero Gate, 16-9 Udagawa-Cho, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150-0042.

Information Bershka Japan