Sales Down at Japan Department Stores in March

As a result of the earthquake and tsunami, department stores in Japan reported their first sales drop in two months.

With stores running on limited hours and sometimes closed all together due to rolling blackouts attributed to the earthquake, Japan department store sales fell to 462.4 billion yen in March, a 14.7% drop from last year.

As sales at department stores throughout Japan fell, department stores in Tokyo fell to 103.1 billion yen, a steep 21.5% drop for their first drop in three months.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Time to Introduce Daylight Savings Time To Japan Retail?

With Aeon Co. the first retail company to adopt Daylight Savings Time in order to conserve energy and to preempt effects of any blackout on operating hours, the question is who will be next to introduce Daylight Savings Time to their operations?

The answer – Everyone should.

Moving up the opening and closing times of retail stores throughout Japan, especially Tokyo, during the hottest summer months; June through July would have a major impact on conserving energy and possibly staving off electric blackouts or at least lessening the effects.

Which fashion retail companies do you think will take the lead; Fast Retailing, Coach, GAP or Shimamura?

The answer again is everyone should, as it has to be a joint effort in order for it to succeed.

Daylight Savings Time in Japan – Now.

Tokyo, Mature and Resilient in a Time of Crisis

As published in Luxury Society

Japan entered 2011 with high optimism. Even though consumers were less conspicuous and aspirational in their shopping, they began spending again. Tokyo luxury retailers were coming off of strong December same-store-sales and new lifestyle brands Reed Krakoff and Michael Kors entered the Japan luxury market, with flagship boutiques in Tokyo. Japan Fashion Week was increasing in size and popularity and was becoming a must-attend event for foreign buyers and press.

As the economy was improving and consumer spending on luxury goods with it, the unthinkable happened – a natural disaster of untold destruction. Although the earthquake and ensuing tsunami in the northern part of Japan did not affect the infrastructure of Tokyo, it did affect the consumer psyche; luxury brands temporarily closed their doors, relocated their Tokyo headquarters to Osaka and both Japanese and foreigners left for safer ground.

Ten days later something wonderful happened: retailers opened their doors, Tokyoites returned, people started shopping again and most of the luxury-brand CEOs I have spoken to since the quake are optimistic. Not only is Tokyo a mature luxury market, it is also resilient – as are the people who live here.

Super Retailer Aeon Bullies Parco into Submission

After over one month of haggling, jousting and dancing Parco finally gave into the demands of Aeon and Mori Trust to replace their embattled President Hidekazu Hirano with Aeon and Mori Trust favorite Kouzou Makiyama, a Parco senior executive.

The love-loss between Aeon and Parco began shortly after Aeon became a major shareholder in Parco. Right away Aeon wanted to force a joint venture on Parco to use their urban locations to establish their own retail presence. When Parco President Hidekazu resisted Aeon on the notion it would change Parco’s company culture and that Aeon was moving to quick after becoming a major shareholder, Aeon moved to remove him and install their own executives or a Parco executive sympathetic to them. By allying themselves with Mori Trust, the largest shareholder of Parco, Aeon had enough voted to impose their will.

In a short-lived and well fought defense Parco did attempt to identify a white knight to rescue them but with so little time left and with the current economic situation the way it is it ultimately would not happen.

What is next for Parco?

Well, Aeon will get what it wants and force joint operations of Parco’s (proposed) retail malls in China, as well Aeon will now most likely increase their stake in Parco with the possibility of one day taking them over entirely.

Information Nikkei

Peter Webb's Joyous Dance

Peter Webb has launched a new site to show case some of the work he has become world famous for. If you have ever worn a pair of Quiksilver board shorts or other Quiksilver gear over the past 25 years, chances are that Peter has been involved in its creation. As one of the original artist for the brand, Peter help move surf culture into the mainstream youth and urban culture of the world. Peter’s creative vision and original work, has greatly shaped the Quiksilver vibe.

Peter Webb’s gift as an artist lies in his skill as a colorist. It is here that his sensibility finds full expression. More often there is a joyous dance between the various hues, a musical play improvised like fine jazz or Eastern Raga. Though a very different artist Peter’s use of color often has something of the spirit of Matisse flowing though it. Even when Peter’s subject moves toward the dark and disturbing there is always undeniable pleasure in the use of color.

http://www.petercwebb.com/

Peter is now entertaining collaborations with other brands throughout the world, and as an independent artist looks forward to helping other brands to speak with the youth and young adult markets of the world. For work in Asia, you may contact his Business Director – Asia, Tyron Giuliani at ty@asianetjapan.com or +81 (0)90 6013 6562

Bershka not Wasting Anytime Expanding in Japan

This Saturday, Zara’s parent company Inditex will open their first Bershka store in Shibuya. Set to open last month Inditex postponed the opening due to the earthquake on 11 March.


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. Products in Japan will include T-shirts up to 1,990 yen, dresses from 1,990 yen to 5,990 yen. And some merchandise priced less than 1,000 yen.

After this Saturday’s opening in Shibuya, Inditex will open another Bershka at the end of April in Koshigaya, Saitama. Following the Koshigaya opening Bershka will open their third store in June in Funabashi, Chiba.

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

Solution to the Hot Tokyo Summer

With power conservation in Tokyo likely to continue and increase in the upcoming summer months (meaning little to no air-conditioning) and no end in sight to the conservative and Jurassic dress code of suits through Tokyo’s tropical summer, what is a salary-man to do? Well thanks to Aoki, men’s suit retailer, salary-men can wear their suits and keep cool at the same time.

Crowded trains with no air-conditioning? No problem. Office at 28 maybe 30 degrees Celsius? No problem.

You see, from this May Aoki will begin selling a suit designed to keep salary-men of all shapes and sizes cool from the summer heat and humidity.

The suit creatively named “Premium Air Cool Suit” keeps the temperature under the fabric up to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than your regular salary-man suits. The technology behind the suit was developed along with researchers from the Textile Science and Technology Institute at Shinshu University and uses unique solvents to block ultraviolet and infrared rays stopping heat from being absorbed in to the fabric.

Of course to make the suit more attractive for salary-men it is made with elastic so no need for tailoring and it will obviously be made available in basic salary-man blue, black and grey, and just so you can complete the ensemble Aoki will also introduce AOKI Cool Shirt, in white of course, which will be available this month. In case you office ladies are feeling left out Aoki will also offer a suit for women.

With price points for the men’s suits up to 63,000 yen and women’s suits at 29,000 yen Aoki is forecasting up to 10 billion yen in sales.

To purchase your “Premium Air Cool Suit” before it gets too hot visit any Aoki retailer this May!

Information Aoki Holdings Inc.

Support Japan!

Things may look difficult in Japan right now and they will get better.  One way to support Japan is to support the economy.  By supporting Japan's emerging fashion labels you will support the overall economy. 

As Japan Fashion Week was cancelled due to the earthquake on 11 March many fashion brands have just recently begun presenting their fall collections and are returning to producing and manufacturing their garments and expect to be able to fill orders in time for the fall retail schedule.

Please come to Tokyo and attend the fall collection presentations and support Japan.

Tokyo Fashion Daily

Takashimaya's Optimism

The optimistic president of Takashimaya, Koji Suzuki predicts the effects on consumption from the disaster on 11 March will disappear by the third quarter of 2011.


Takashimaya’s same-store-sales for March dropped 16.8% and they are already predicting a small decrease of 2% for April.

As consumers refrain from buying and obvious signs of luxury consumption and department stores close stores early to conserve electricity most fashion retailers experienced large decreases in March same-store-sales and are readying for drops in April same-store-sales before they expect a recovery to begin as early as July of this year.

Information Takashimaya Co.

THE CFDA LAUNCHES “FASHION & FRIENDS FOR JAPAN”

Press Release from Council of Fashion Designers of America 'Fashion & Friends of Japan - Initiative to Raise Funds for Earthquake & Tsunami Victims in Japan
___________________________________________________________________________

April 4, 2011 - In response to the current crisis resulting from the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11th, the CFDA Board of Directors is galvanizing the fashion industry‟s participation in a “Fashion & Friends for Japan” fundraiser to benefit the victims of the natural disasters. Kicking off on Tuesday, April 5th, the CFDA will host an online auction at luxury charity auction site charitybuzz.com. All proceeds will benefit the Japan Society‟s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which will funnel 100% of the monies to front-line organizations in Japan assisting in the short and long-term recovery.

“The crisis in Japan is something that has affected us all and as a community and industry we felt a responsibility to act,” said Steven Kolb, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “This initiative hits very close to home as many members of the CFDA community have close business ties and partnerships in Japan and we view this is an extension of the work we accomplished in the “Fashion for Haiti” initiative. The response we have received has been overwhelming and we continue to encourage donations and support.”

Motoatsu Sakurai, Japan Society President responded, “We are humbled by the generosity of CFDA members‟ donations. We thank you for your support and for raising awareness of Japan in a time of crisis.”

Through an outpouring of support from the fashion community, the CFDA has already secured over 75 donations for the “Fashion & Friends for Japan” initiative. A sampling of the donations received include:

Bid on a chance to meet Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and attend a photo shoot for the magazine One full week‟s stay at the private home of Diane von Furstenberg in the Bahamas

Ralph Lauren‟s Paris - Two Round Trip Business Class Tickets from NYC to Paris, two nights at the Bristol Hotel in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Ralph's, the quintessential American restaurant in Paris, a 1,000 euro shopping experience at the Ralph Lauren store on St. Germain, and two tickets to visit "The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces of the Ralph Lauren Collection," an exclusive exhibit of Mr. Lauren's vintage automobiles featured at the Musée des Arts décoratifs. Live like a Vanity Fair writer for a day—minus the torture of actually reporting and writing. The winning bidder will take a tour of the Vanity Fair offices, have lunch with one of the editors, sit in on a meeting in Graydon Carter's office, and then finish off the day with a dinner for four at Mr. Carter's restaurant, The Monkey Bar. Morning, Noon & Night with Tory Burch - Morning: $3,000 shopping spree at Tory Burch with a personal stylist; Noon: Lunch with Tory and the design team; Night: 2 tickets and backstage passes to Jay-Z and Kanye West‟s concert Lunch and style consultation with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, includes a tour of her offices and additional styling tips from her team Go behind the scenes with The Hilfigers at the Spring 2012 Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign shoot. Get prepped out in a full Tommy Hilfiger look at the brand's Fifth Avenue store before having your photograph taken with the Hilfigers. A meet and greet with The Row designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen plus an entire wardrobe of Elizabeth and James and The Row Collections Two tickets to the Elton John Oscar‟s Party The opportunity to intern for a day at Elle Magazine along with a personal fashion consultation with Elle Creative Director Joe Zee Have a Barbie custom made by Mattel in your likeness, valued at over $10,000 Courtesy of DKNY, enjoy a “VIP” experience at Yankee Stadium for four guests. Experience includes a private tour of Monument Park followed by watching the Yankees‟ batting practice from the field, followed by a meet and greet with Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Afterwards, watch the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9th, 2011, from four front row Legends Suite seats A lunch and style consultation with TV Personality and Project Runway Judge Tim Gunn Two tickets to the Vera Wang Spring Summer 2012 Fashion Show followed by a meet and greet with the designer and a $2000 shopping spree at the Vera Wang flagship store The opportunity to personalize a PS1 „it‟ bag with Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez A “Made to Measure Experience” custom suit and fitting from designer Tom Ford.

Eight tickets to the Metropolitan Opera and dinner with Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy Two tickets to a live filming of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” along with private cocktails with host Andy Cohen following the filming And many, many more……….

The initiative will move forward with the support of the entire fashion industry and will be an ongoing effort. There is no current deadline for donation submissions and the CFDA encourages all members of the fashion community to continue to submit their donations and support.

To make a donation or to request more information about how you can make a contribution to the initiative please contact japan@cfda.com.

About the CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962 that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 370 of America‟s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Business Services Network, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities. The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages Fashion Targets Breast Cancer; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations with 7th on Sale; addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative; and is a key participant in other programs such as the annual Fashion‟s Night Out. For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com.

CFDA Social Media:

http://twitter.com/CFDA (#helpjapan)

http://www.facebook.com/CouncilofFashionDesignersofAmerica

http://cfda.tumblr.com/

http://www.youtube.com/CFDATV

Press Contact:

Hallie Chrisman

KCD Worldwide

chrisman@kcdworldwide.com

1.212.590.5118

Seoul to Soul Fashion

For the next several days Tokyo Fashion Daily will be in Seoul, Korea researching and reporting on the Seoul fashion scene.  Look for TFD's blog postings and follow TFD on Twitter @tokyofashndaily for our latest retail fashion updates in Japan and soon from Seoul.

Thank you for reading.

TFD

Quetzel Jewelry Adorns the Virginia Opera

This below press release is not a Japan-specific release nor retailer but Ludiwka Alvarez, the briliiant and talented woman behind Quetzal Jewelry is not only been auctioning off luxury jewelry pieces with proceeds going to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief she is also decorating Cio-Cio San in Virginia Opera’s 2011 production of Madama Butterfly.  Please read below to find out more...

Quetzal’s Custom Jewelry Compliments the Beautiful Sounds of Madama Butterfly

Virginia, April 4, 2011 – Soon after its February debut at Au Domaine in Alexandria, Quetzal had the privilege of creating something very special for the Virginia Opera’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Ludwika Alvarez, the owner and creative spirit behind the company, personally custom designed the hair jewelry for the onstage performance of Sandra Lopez, the beautiful Madama Butterfly, otherwise known as Cio-Cio San.

The hair jewelry was inspired by Madama Butterfly’s elaborately hand painted silk kimono and perfectly accentuates this tragic character’s delicate beauty as well as the poignant sounds of this dramatic opera. As a result, a combination of aesthetic splendor and musical genius complimented the Virginia Opera’s splendid performance.

Marcus A. Kraker, the President of the Northern Virginia Board of Governors of the Virginia Opera said, “We are excited that Quetzal has chosen to partner with the Virginia Opera. Capturing the beauty and elegance of Madama Butterfly, the exquisitely designed pieces were the highlight of our annual Gala.”

Quetzal also designed and donated a delicate gemstone double tassel necklace inspired by the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms as a tribute to Madama Butterfly and the spring season. It was auctioned off at the Butterflies and Blossoms Gala on April 2nd, with all proceeds going to the Virginia Opera.

Thanks to the generosity of Theresa D'Alessandro, Director of the School of Theatrical Dance in Great Falls, the auction piece found a wonderful home. “To say that the Madama Butterfly necklace is a work of art is an understatement. It is a gracefully connected organic musical phrase of gemstones and pearls. The stones suggest the blossoms of the Japanese garden and the pearls the island nature of the country. I was drawn to this piece not because it is jewelry; but because it is a story. The butterfly clasp is beautiful, yet perfectly unassuming. The necklace is truly a treasure, as is the Virginia Opera.”

Quetzal (“ket-sal”), the inspiration behind the Virginia-based company, is one of the most spectacular rare birds in the world. Like the Quetzal, each luxuriously handcrafted piece reflects exquisite sophistication. These collections embrace feminine beauty, its strength and diversity.

While the Birds of Paradise collection compliment the sounds of the Virginia Opera, the other three collections express every woman’s style and whim, creating a unique experience for any occasion. The Bold Plumage collection speaks to the stunning and remarkable woman. The delicate Fine Feathers collection is created with elegance and sophistication in mind, whereas Chic Chick designs express the fun-loving, free-spirited woman.

Watch out for spectacular custom designs for the Virginia Opera’s production of Aida this fall. To learn more about all exquisite pieces under the four collections, please visit www.QuetzalJewelry.com. For more information on Quetzal Jewelry, contact Ludwika Alvarez at QuetzalJewelry@yahoo.com.

Photo: " Soprano Sandra Lopez as Cio-Cio San in Virginia Opera’s 2011 production of Madama Butterfly. Photo: Anne M. Peterson Virginia Opera"

More Bad News for Japan Fashion Retailers, with a Bright-Side

Following the news of Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo, Japan Department Stores, Tiffany and several other brands reporting poor sales results for the month of March more fashion retailers have released their March sales numbers and unfortunately they are also down.

Same-store-sales at United Arrows and ABC Mart usually a steadfast high-sales provider were both down 17% and 11% respectively. Sale also dropped 28% at Japanese design brand Honey - the near 30% mark has been a regular sight recently for drops in sales numbers across many fashion retailers.

For those fashion retailers lucky enough not to have sales drop significantly or at all in March, they are already forecasting negative sales numbers for April and Q2 i.e. H&M Japan.

Even with the recent negative news for fashion retailers in Tokyo there is some good news; the Tokyo Gov’t is already conserving energy for the long hot summer months ahead and will try to provide air-conditioning on trains and in department stores.

Information United Arrows, ABC Mart, Honeys, H&M, Fast Retailing, Japan Department Stores Association & Tiffany

Uniqlo’s Designer Collaboration

Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo announced three of the new designers involved with the Uniqlo Designers Invitation Project.

First up will be Costello Tagliapietra whose capsule collection will launch on Thursday 21 April. After Tagliapietra, Charlotte Ronson will release her collection on Friday 5 May. The third collection by Vena Cave will launch on Friday 12 May.

Each designer will design a capsule collection of six pieces and will retail for approximately 2,999 yen at Uniqlo's 850 worldwide retail locations.

Information Fast Retailing Co. & WWD

A Worrying Time for Fashion Retailers

With March numbers already in, department stores and fashion retailers are already feeling the economic effects from the earthquake and tsunami.
With customers not consuming anything beyond essentials and companies cutting retail operating hours, companies like Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo dropped 10.5% while department store Isetan Mitsukoshi reported March a drop in March sales of 28.4% at Isetan stores and 22.8% at Mitsukoshi stores, and fearing the worst they believe some of their Tokyo department store locations may have fallen over 30%. J. Front Retailing, operator of 21 Daimaru and Matsuzakaya department stores also reported a drop in March sales of 9.6%, with Matsuzakaya department stores reporting sales throughout Tokyo dropping up to 29.6%. Luxury retailers in Tokyo are also reporting decreasing boutique sales albeit not as high as department stores, with most retailers reporting a drop of between 10-15%.

While these sales numbers are worrisome many in the industry believe sales may worsen especially if the department stores, fashion retailers and luxury boutiques are restricted on their use of air-conditioning, an idea being floated around by the Tokyo Government.

This news comes at a time when Japan’s luxury industry was beginning to recover from the burst of the luxury bubble in late 2007, companies reallocating resources to a more consumption-driven China and a decline in demand domestically.

Do you think the drop in sales numbers is temporary or long-term?

Information Japan Department Stores Association, WWD and various confidential sources

Uniqlo March Same-Stores Down

For the first time in three months Fast Retailing saw same-store-sales at Uniqlo fall - 10.5%.

Due to the earthquake, ensuing disaster and subsequent electricity blackouts same-store-sales for Uniqlo fell throughout Japan with twelve stores damaged.

Along with a drop in same-store-sales customer traffic also fell 13% for same-store from one year earlier.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

Parco on the Up & Up

Parco, currently under pressure from Aeon and Mori Trust to agree to a joint venture or worse - a takeover, has reported a 7% increase in group operating profit to over 9 billion yen for the year ending February 2011. The increase, the first in three years was almost 500 million yen higher than originally forecasted.


Along with the increase in group operating profits Parco also saw a 2% increase in sales to about 265 billion yen.

Information Parco Co.

Seven is Lucky for ABC Mart

For the seventh straight year ABC Mart’s group operating profit rose with this year rising about 10% to almost 27 billion yen.

The increase was 2% higher than forecasted due to the high yen and cost-saving measures in production and procurement,

Along with an increase in ABC Mart’s group operating profits sales throughout their 574 retail doors also rose 12% to around 127 billion yen with sales for women’s shoes up 13% and sales of casual shoes up 15%.

Information ABC Mart, Inc.