American Apparel is Going Mobile

Los Angeles-based American Apparel is going where Facebook has yet to go – mobile. 

American Apparel will launch a new mobile store serving the Japan market.  The mobile store located at mobile.americanapparel.co.jp, will be American Apparel's first venture into the mobile e-commerce space. Japan was chosen for the launch as its customers are among the most attuned to the potential of mobile shopping.

"Mobile marketing is more important in Japan than in any other region. It was clear that this would be a great new way to serve our Japanese customers in a way that they've come to expect from other retailers," said Dov Charney, founder and CEO of American Apparel.

The mobile store policies will mirror the web store policies in much like the regional web store, customers will be able to pay via COD, as well the mobile store and regional web store will  possess matching inventories, which will be updated concurrently as transactions take place.  The mobile store will also be accessible through a user's mobile web browser rather than through an application, a common requirement amongst Japanese retailers and customers will be automatically trafficked to the mobile site if they access the web store from their mobile phone.

How many of you are currently shopping via your mobile phones?

Information American Apparel

Versace's Japan Expansion

After re-entering the Japan market in 2011, Versace already has its eyes set on expansion.

With the success of operations in Japan, and sales increasing in the rest of Asia, and in the US (30%) as well as emerging markets like Brazil, Versace has turned a profit or in the case of the Milanese-brand returned to profit in 2011.

Versace Japan already has shops in Tokyo, inside Hankyu Yurakucho Men's and Osaka and is planning on opening another 3-4 stores in Japan by the end of 2012.

Given Versace's previous tenure in Japan do you think it is wise they open more retail doors in Japan so soon?

Information Versace & WWD

Mizuno Runs Up Profits in 2011

Mizuno Corp. reported profits for the 2011 fiscal year increased 10.7%, while net income increased to 3.1 billion yen and revenue increased 3.3% to 155 billion yen.  Sales in Japan increased 4% on the year in 2011.

The Osaka-based footwear company attributed the increases to strong sales in the running, soccer and volleyball shoe categories as well as an increase in marketing expenditures including additional product launches.

Mizuno is forecasting a 3.2% increase in revenue to 160 billion yen for the fiscal year 2012.

Information Mizuno Corp.

Sanyo-Shokai; Department Stores to Outlets

Even with sales at Japan department stores up over the past two months, overall sales have still been down over the past decade (has it been that long?). As sales at department stores continually decrease apparel brands are looking for new sales channels.  Ecommerce has been one strong sales channel for many brand and now outlet malls are growing in popularity; not just with customers but with apparel brands too.

Apparel company Sanyo-Shokai is one company embracing outlets as a solution to excess inventory due to lack of sales at department stores in Japan and is planning to increase its outlet presence to three doors by 2013.  Sanyo-Shokai is hoping its plan to increase its outlet doors will pay-off with a 10% decrease in inventory by moving non-selling merchandise from department stores to outlets and double sales to 10 billion yen by 2013.

TFD is so inspired by Sanyo-Shokai that we are going to visit Asahibashi outlet in Okinawa today.  Will we buy any Sanyo-Shokai brands?  Probably not but we won't be leaving empty-handed either.

Information Sanyo-Shokai Ltd. & Nikkei 

It was a very good year for American Apparel

With worldwide sales increasing 3% and finishing at $547.7 million USD, fiscal year 2011 was a very good year for American Apparel.

Contributing to American Apparel's global success was Japan which also finished fiscal year 2011 EOY up 49%.  The strong momentum started in the first quarter where American Apparel Japan saw small growth of 1%, then a steep climb to 36% in the second quarter followed buy robust quarters in Q3 which was up 87% and the fourth quarter which was up 77%.

What's next for American Apparel?  Well if Japan comparable sales in April 2012 which increased 69% is any indication - than more sales in Japan and globally.

Information American Apparel Inc.

April is "Cool" for こなか

Same-store sales at apparel retailer Konaka were up 7.9% in April as demand for "Cool Biz" apparel was also up.

This year's "Cool Biz" season is off to an early start as energy consumption is expected to decrease after Japan shut down all nuclear power plants across the nation.

Every summer in Tokyo is hot and muggy and this summer will be no different except on the inside where once you could seek relief in a "cool" 28 degree office building, but now even that is in danger.  So where is relief to be found?  In not so cool looking "Cool Biz" wear.

Information Konaka & Nikkei

Japan Department Stores Up in April

For the second consecutive month same-store sales at Japanese department stores were up in April, increasing to 1.3% on the year finishing at 479.9 billion yen.

Leading the way in sales were jewelry and watches followed by accessories including handbags and then apparel.  

By region same-store sales at department stores in Tokyo increased 6.7% in April also marking their second consecutive month of growth to finish at 121.4 billion yen in sales.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Strange Days in Okinawa

There is something strange happening in Okinawa, and no its not the fact that every young man in their twenties in Okinawa prefers hip-hop style, what's strange is that beyond the laid back beach, surf, and hip-hop style there is genuinely a small but thriving fashion scene in Okinawa.


With select shops and boutiques dotted throughout the island Okinawans are just as much influenced by fashion as mainlanders but just a in a warmer climate.


In the first of a series of reports on the fashion scene in Okinawa, Tokyo Fashion Fashion Daily met up with Takayoshi Ishigaki, the proprietor of Strange Days; a classic American casual boutique with a "Made in Japan" label.


When speaking with Ishigaki he told TFD he is influenced by American fashion from the 1960s and 1970s.  A former salaryman Ishigaki opened Strange Days last October and has come along way from hanging his merchandise on hooks floating from the ceiling, since he did not know how to properly fold the clothes his store sold.


Named after the second Doors album, Strange Days carries a variety of brands from Tokyo and the US including American shoe classics Vans, Walk-Over, Whites Boots and Viberg Boot to Japanese clothing  labels M, TMT, Cigar Sands Beetle, phenomenon beyond description, Naked Sun and more.  Ishigaki believes in the "Made in Japan" label and is proud to carry leather from Tochigi, denim from Okayama, sunglasses from Fukui and hand-made silver from Ken Kikuchi in Tokyo.


For now most of Ishigaki's customers are mainlanders from Tokyo so in a move to introduce his brand to more customers he has opened up a very successful and revolutionary online store at Strange Days where he has customers not only from Japan but Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and the rest of the world.


When TFD asked Ishigaki what can help counter the image of Okinawa as only beach, surf and hip-hop fashion he replied more events like Tokyo Girls Collection Okinawa which had about 3,000 attendees for their last presentation show - a small number compared to Tokyo but still a start to building a genuine fashion scene in Okinawa.


If you are currently in Okinawa or planning a visit please check out Strange Days at
900-0006 沖縄県那覇市おもろまち4-6-17 おもろパークテラス1-3

Sales & Profits Jump at Isetan Mitsukoshi

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, the joint venture between two of Japan’s largest department stores reported a huge decrease in consolidated net profit of 58.8 billion yen for the 2012 fiscal year ending in March. 

Besides an increase in net profit sales at Isetan Mitsukoshi also increased 2% to 1.23 million on the year.

In terms of department store locations Ginza Mitsukoshi saw the largest increase at 29% - I guess the 160 million yen plus renovation investment is paying off.  After Ginza Mitsukoshi, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi followed second in terms of sales.

Isetan Mitsukoshi also saw a fantastic jump in profit of 120% to 23.8 billion yen.

Isetan is already forecasting another increase in sales for the fiscal year 2013 to 1.24 billion yen with operating profit forecasted to also increase 5% to 25 billion yen while net profit is expected to decrease 47% to 31 billion yen.

With good news like this from Isetan Mitsukoshi does anyone believe Japan’s economy is not improving?

Information Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings & Nikkei

OIOI Profits and Revenue Grow

Marui also known as OIOI, or is it the other way around?  Either way Marui Group reported a 22% increase in operating profit of 18 billion yen for the fiscal year 2011.

Besides the nice jump in operating profit Marui also reported a very small increase of 1% in revenue to over 410 billion yen.

Sales were driven mostly by spring apparel and Cool-biz wear (which is anything but cool) for the upcoming summer months which are expected to be even hotter as all of Japan’s nuclear power plants are shut down.

Sales at Marui also saw a jump due to Marui’s private label shoes, accessory bags and other merchandise.

Beyond increasing revenue Marui also cut-costs and in the process discovered by laying off workers they can get the remaining worker to take on additional duties, usually without much complaining for fears they will be laid off next.

Information Marui Group aka OIOI & Nikkei

Aoyama Up in April

Apparel company Aoyama Trading Co. reported strong sales for the month of April.


Last month same-store sales at Aoyama Trading Co. increased 9% on the year.  Leading the way in sales was women's apparel followed by suits, shirts and coordinates.


Aoyama Trading Co. owns and operates brands such as Universal Language, The Suit Company, and Calaja.


Information Aoyama Trading Co.

Uniqlo Falls in April

For the first time in five months same-store sales at Fast Retailing's Uniqlo decreased.

Same-store sales in April fell 6.8% at Uniqlo while same-store customer visits also fell 9%, also for the first time in two months.

On the bright side and there is always a bright side in retail, same-store sales per customers at Uniqlo increased 2.4%. 

From a retail point of view it must be difficult to increase sales month after month, every month for close to 900 stores.  

Information Fast Retailing Co.