Shibuya Hikarie's Big Score

In its first coup since opening last Thursday, Shibuya Hikarie has already scored a big success.


This success comes in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Japan Fashion Week.  Organizers from Mercedes-Benz Japan Fashion Week reported they are moving Japan Fashion week from Tokyo Midtown, where it has been for the past several seasons, to Shibuya Hikarie beginning with the Spring/Summer collections starting on 15 October 2012.

Quite impressive of Shibuya Hikarie for being open less than one week.


Now, I wonder what Mercedes-Benz is going to do with that cool showroom they built across the street from Tokyo Midtown specifically for shows, events, and promotions for the Mercedes-Benz Japan Fashion Week?

Information Mercedes-Benz Japan Fashion Week

Pic 

Asics' Aggressive Japan Expansion

This Friday Kobe-based Asics will open their largest directly run store in Japan.

The new Asics flagship will be located in Omotesando and is 260 square meters. The new Omotesando Asics flagship will carry apparel and footwear; both fashionable and functional for sporting activities.

This new Tokyo flagship store is Asics' first step in expanding the number of directly run stores from the current 18 to 50 by the end of 2015.

Is the demand for Asics in Japan so strong that they can sustain and profit from 50 directly run stores?

Information Asics Corp.

Shibyua Hikarie Opens this Thursday

This Thursday 26 April, Shibuya Hikarie will open in all of its glory.

Standing at the former site of Tokyu Bunka Kaikan, Shibuya Hikarie stands 182.5 meters with 34 floors above ground and 4 floors below, and will house about 200 tenants including Tokyo Theatre Orb which can seat 2,000 people. Other tenants include ShinQs, Osme Kitchen, and The Conran Shop Kitchen as well as a 2,000 sqm art hall for exhibitions and events.

At a cost of 100 billion yen to build, Shibuya Hikarie aims to change the demographic in Shibuya from mostly young consumers to women and men (mostly women) between their 20s and 40s.

In the future it is possible Shibuya will be known not only for its fashion trends and tribes but as well for its art and music.

Information Tokyu & Shibuya Hikarie

Looking at Pictures with Paul Smith

Last evening Paul Smith held a private viewing for customers, friends, and fans to celebrate photographs taken by Gary Oldman and Jack English for the upcoming movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The event, which also attracted press was held over two floors at Paul Smith's Maronouchi store and saw Sir Paul speak about the exhibition's photographs and catch up with his friends and fans in Japan. Holding court with Paul were Guy Perryman, Saleem d'Aronville, Beezer and of course myself.

When I asked Sir Paul about the photographs he replied " they were photographs he found in a drawer taken by Gary Oldman, who did not think they were very good ." Luckily Paul Smith thought they were good and is now sharing them with his legion of fans and customers in Japan through this fun exhibition.

My thoughts upon meeting Paul Smith; impeccably well-dressed, extremely friendly and very tall.

Uniqlo Expands Beyond the Bright Lights of the City

With Uniqlo having a retail presence in every major urban area in Japan, Fast Retailing announced plans to push and further expand in to Japan's untapped suburban centers.

Fast Retailing will open 50 new retail doors in suburban centers throughout Japan. At double the size of their big-city counterparts the suburban Uniqlo stores will be up to 3,000 sqm and specifically target female shoppers as well as families.

Fast Retailing is optimistic about suburban Uniqlo, so much so they are projecting up to 5 billion yen in annual revenue.

With this latest expansion by Fast Retailing is there anywhere in Japan you will not be able to find a Uniqlo store?

Information Fast Retailing Co.

Japan's Department Stores up in March

March was a terrific month for department stores in Japan as sales increased 14.1% to reach 527.3 billion yen in sales on the year.

March also turned out to be a great month for Tokyo department stores where sales increased 26.7% to 130.6 billion yen in sales on the year.

With sales percentage increases like this in March and the warmer weather on its way can we expect a strong end to the spring and a solid summer of retail sales in Japan?

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Vera Wang Tokyo

In partnership with bridal company Hatsuko Endo, Vera Wang will pursue her Asia expansion by opening her first flagship store in Tokyo this June.


Vera Wang's new Ginza flagship will be on the first floor of a larger bridal store and will carry her high-end collection specifically designed for Asia.


As the bridal line becomes profitable expect further Vera Wang lines to be introduced to Japan.


Information Vera Wang & Hatsuko Endo

Uniqlo is Going to Cali

Global retail behemoth Fast Retailing is taking the next step in their quest toward global retail domination with the announcement of the opening of their San Francisco flagship store this autumn. The new flagship store will be their first foray to the west coast of the United States and will be followed by stores in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Washington and more locations by the end of 2012.

At 29,000 square feet the Uniqlo San Fransico store will carry the full line of men's, women's, and childrern as well as the UJ line.

With retailers Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Aeropostale closing retail doors it should be easy for Fast Retailing to locate some prime real estate in major US cities.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

Planet Blue's Japan Expansion

California-based retailer Planet Blue will open their first flagship shop in Tokyo next spring.

The Japanese-favorite retailer plans on opening a 2,000 sqf stand alone store in central Tokyo in collaboration with Sanei International. The store will carry original Planet Blue merchandise imported from California as well as merchanside made in Japan.

In preparation for their flagship opening Plant Blue will open a 600 sqf pop-up shop in Shinjuku Isetan from 26 April to 3 May. The one week pop-up shop will carry Planet Blue products imported from California, products made in Japan for Planet Blue and third party brands from Sanei. In addition to the pop-up shop Sanei International will also distribute Planet Blue lines to 30 doors in Japan including department stores and select shops.

Planet Blue was founded by Ling-Su Chinn in 1995 in Malibu, California.

Information Planet Blue

Isetan Mitsukoshi up in March

Sales at Isetan Mitsukoshi's department store business increased 40% on the year in March as well as also beating sales in March 2010.

Sales rebounded as the economy and country recovered from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Unlike previous months and years at Japan's department stores women's apparel has helped lead the way to higher sales followed by accessories and shoes.

Information Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings

ABC Mart's Profits Run High

For the eight consecutive year ABC Mart has reported a record increase in their pre-tax profits.

For the fiscal year 2011 ABC Mart reported a 7% increase in group pre-tax profit of about 28.5 billion yen. Along with the rise in pre-tax profits ABC Mart also saw same-store-sales increase 1.8% while overall sales increased 11% to 141 billion yen.

The increase in group pre-tax profit exceeded previous forecasts by about 300 million yen while net profit fell 13% to below 16 billion yen.

The increase in sales, same-store-sales and profits are being attributed to strong sales in brand-name running shoes. While the running trend has long been popular in Japan, ABC Mart is running it to the next level.

Information ABC Mart Inc.

Wacoal Buys UK Lingerie

As of 10 April 2013 Kyoto-based Wacoal will become the proud owner of England-based Eveden.

Paying 20 billion yen for the Northamptonshire-based high-end intimate apparel maker,  Wacoal will add Eveden as a subsidiary company to their holdings corporation.

The acquisition will benefit both companies by creating economies of scale and will allow Wacoal to introduce and sell their products in Europe through Evedon’s retail network of department stores and specialty retailers.  Beyond Europe Wacoal also plans to expand its product line into the US, the Middle East and India.

Eveden, a leading manufacturer of fashionable, high-end lingerie for the plus-size market reported sales of about 10.7 billion yen for the fiscal year ending 2011.

Information Wacoal Holdings Corp.

Uniqlo Up in March

For the fourth consecutive month Uniqlo's same-store-sales were up.

Fast Retailing reported same-store-sales for Uniqlo increased 5.1% in March.  The March same-store-sales increase follows a 1.2% increase in February, a 7.9% rise in January and a 14.2% increase in same-store-sales in December.

Information Fast Retailing Co.