Muji.

Led by strong sales in apparel and accessories general store-like Muji posted a 20% increase in operating profit of 5.3 billion yen for the period of March to May compared to 2011.  Operating profit also rose 10% to under 50 billion yen for the same period while same-store sales increased 12% for the month of March and ended up 3% for the quarter.

Information Ryohin Keikaku Co.

Louis Vuitton's Latest & Dottiest Collaboration

Next month on the 10^th of July Louis Vuitton will introduce their latest collaboration.  This latest collaboration will be with Japanese artist Yayoi Kasuma and consist of ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry and watches with polka dots as the theme du jour.  The collection will launch in all 463 Louis Vuitton stores worldwide as well as seven pop-up shops scattered across the globe including New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo (in Shinjuku and Dover Street Market).

Previous Louis Vuitton collaborations have included graffiti artist Stephen Sprouse, artist Takashi Murakami, and artist Richard Prince among others.

The Louis Vuitton collaboration with Yayoi Kasuma will be a limited-product launch so start lining up to buy yours before they are all gone.

Information WWD

Takashimaya Makes Huge Gains

Takashimaya Department Store reported a huge 68% increase in their operating profit to 5.8 billion yen on the year for the quarter; March to May - way more than the 5 billion they originally anticipated.

This gigantic leap in operating profit positions Takashimaya nicely as they are now almost 60% towards their operating profit forecast of 10 billion yen on the year for the six month period of March to August.

Information Takashimaya Co.

Joe's Jeans Japan

In a crowded and competitive denim market Los Angeles-based Joe's Jeans is currently in contract negotiations to enter the Japan market.


Looking to duplicate their stateside success the premium denim brand will enter the market with their first line and then possibly followed by their lower-priced second line Else, which has experienced great commercial success in the US market.


With the likes of other foreign denim brands True Religion, Seven for All Mankind, G-Star, Diesel, Replay, Denham and Levi's as well as domestic brands like Edwin already struggling for market share in an over-saturated market, Joe's Jeans will have to differentiate themselves if they hope to take market share and realize sales growth.


Their advertising and and over fifty different color jeans to choose from are a good start - yes you read it right over fifty different color jeans (fifty-five to be exact) to choose from.


Information WWD

Takashimaya's Group Operating Profit Up

Takashimaya, the department store usually lagging behind the rest has reported a 40% increase in group operating profit of 5 billion yen for the March to May three month period. 

Along with an increase in group operating profit revenue at Takashimaya also increased 5% to 205 billion yen, partly due to a 17% increase in March same-store-sales, a 2% increase (small but till an increase) in April same-store-sales and unfortunately no help from May same-store-sales which fell.

Takashimaya is felling pretty optimistic these days and is forecasting a 14% increase in group operating profit for the year ending February 2013 to 24 billion yen

Fun Fact: The increase in group operating profit for the March to May three month period was the first for Takashimaya in four years.

Information Takashimaya Co.

Stella McCartney on her own in Japan

After a prosperous business partnership with Unit & Guest, that began in 2007, Stella McCartney has taken over ownership of the their Japan business including distribution of RTW, ACC, children and intimates as well as marketing, PR and all commercial activities.


The end to the the partnership with Unit and Guest which distributed Stella McCartney in Japan from the mid-2000's, is the start to a new and  directly owned and run Stella McCartney Japan. 

Based in Shibuya, Stella McCartney Japan will be lead by Ozawa, Kazuyuki, the newly appointed president.


Stella McCartney Japan currently has one flagship and many shop-in-shops throughout Japan including Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.

Information Stella McCartney Ltd. & WWD

What about Jack?

This fall Kate Spade will buy out its outstanding shares in the Japan market from current joint venture partner Sanei International.

Sanei which first partnered with Kate Spade less than three years ago owns 51% of Kate Spade Japan will get over 4.7 billion yen in exchange for the shares. 

Kate Spade has had a strong presence in Japan dating back to 1997 and currently has 52 retails doors in Japan with over 6.7 billion yen in sales for the fiscal year 2011.

With the buyout of Sanei what will happen to Jack Spade?

Information Sanei International

May is Up & Down for Japan Department Stores

With department stores in Japan reporting up and down sales figures, the month of May was a mixed one in terms of same-store-sales.

The number one department store in Japan, Isetan Mitsukoshi saw sales increase 1.4% in May while J. Front Retailing, operator of Matsuzakaya and Daimaru Department Stores saw sales inch up 0.8%.  After that Takashimaya reported a decrease of 0.8% while H2O Retailing operator of Hanshin and Hankyu Department Stores fell 0.3% for the month.

Fun Fact: J. Front Retailing is doing something right as they have experienced their 14^th consecutive month of same-store-sale increases.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Uniqlo Down again in May

For the second consecutive month sales at the darling brand of Fast Retailing fell.

Same store sales at Uniqlo in May decreased 10.3% compared to last last year at this time.  The decrease in May's same store sales comes after a strong five-month run of positive same store sales at Uniqlo, ending in April with a 6.8% decrease.


The culprit of the same store sales decline according to Uniqlo "the weather".  Don't you think by now with all the sales history, weather history, etc...retailers, not just Fast Retailing, could plan their seasonal merchandise better. Every year summer is hot, winter is cold, it rains in the spring and autumn, well autumn is for preppy clothes.


Information Fast Retailing Inc.