Content about Japan

April 30, 2013
Uniqlo looks to more openings in fall

Uniqlo is taking a breather … but only a short one. The Japanese fashion retailer opened its seventh U.S. store — and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location — on April 19, at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y.

New York -- Uniqlo is taking a breather … but only a short one. The Japanese fashion retailer opened its seventh U.S. store — and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location — on April 19, at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y. The two-level, 24,000-sq-ft. store comes on the heels of Uniqlo opening at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., in March. What’s next for the powerhouse brand that has made no secret of its intention to expand across the nation, with 200 stores by 2020?

April 25, 2013
Shisui Premium Outlets opens with lineup of first-to-Japan brands

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

Tokyo, Japan -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.
 

April 22, 2013
Simon and Mitsubishi Estate open Shisui Premium Outlets in Japan

Simon Property Group announced today that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced today that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., it has opened Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

February 28, 2013
Gap wows Street as Q4 profit surges 61%; plans call for expanding Athleta

Gap Inc. offered further proof that its turnaround has taken hold, reporting a 61% increase in fourth quarter profit amid strong same-store sales growth across its banners.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. offered further proof that its turnaround has taken hold, reporting a 61% increase in fourth quarter profit amid strong same-store sales growth across its banners. The results end a strong year for the chain, which also said it was increasing its dividend by 20%.

November 21, 2012
Toys ‘R’ Us strengthens global e-commerce capabilities

Toys “R” Us announced it has strengthened its global e-commerce capabilities with the launch of a dedicated web store in China.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us announced it has strengthened its global e-commerce capabilities with the launch of a dedicated web store in China. The company also announced the development of mobile-optimized sites and apps in 11 markets around the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, and the U.K. In the coming months, the retailer will introduce the same capabilities in Portugal, Austria and Switzerland, as well as the Netherlands, where it does not currently have a store presence.
 

October 25, 2012
Uniqlo’s Mall Play

Uniqlo has made its first move in an ambitious plan to become a major presence in shopping malls throughout the nation. The company, Japan’s largest retailer and a division of Fast Retailing Co., has jump-started its U.S. expansion with the opening of a 43,000-sq.-ft. store in Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J.

October 23, 2012
Kate Spade New York announces new brand, new store

Kate Spade New York said it is unveiling a new apparel and accessories brand, Kate Spade Saturday, which will officially launch in Japan in February 2013 through e-commerce at Saturday.jp and a flagship store in Tokyo.

New York -- Kate Spade New York said Tuesday it is unveiling a new apparel and accessories brand, Kate Spade Saturday, which will officially launch in Japan in February 2013 through e-commerce at Saturday.jp and a flagship store in Tokyo.

The company said the brand, which is based on the spirit of Saturday seven days a week, is expected to launch exclusively online at www.saturday.com in the U.S. in spring 2013. A selection of product from the spring 2013 launch collection will be sold on fab.com prior to the U.S. launch.

October 10, 2012
Gap launches e-commerce in Japan

Gap Inc. announced that customers in Japan can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp).

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Wednesday that customers in Japan can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp). The sites offer Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Banana Republic products.

July 25, 2012
American Apparel opens Amazon stores in Europe and Japan

American Apparel said it has launched three new merchant stores on Amazon Marketplace in the U.K., Germany and Japan.

Los Angeles -- American Apparel said Wednesday it has launched three new merchant stores on Amazon Marketplace in the U.K., Germany and Japan.
 
The three new stores follow American Apparel's U.S. deal with Amazon, which launched in 2010.
 
Orders will be processed and shipped from American Apparel's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles and returns will be accepted and processed locally by the company’s offices in those countries.
 

July 18, 2012
Taking an Eyes-Wide-Open Approach to Managing Supply Chain Risk

By Mark Robinson, UPS Capital Corp.

By Mark Robinson, UPS Capital Corp.

July 13, 2012
Kate Spade in deal to gain full control of Japanese venture

Fifth & Pacific Cos., formerly known as Liz Claiborne, said that its Kate Spade LLC brand is buying out the interest of its partner in a joint venture based in Japan, the Associated Press reported.

New York -- Fifth & Pacific Cos., formerly known as Liz Claiborne, said that its Kate Spade LLC brand is buying out the interest of its partner in a joint venture based in Japan, the Associated Press reported.

Kate Spade will have full ownership of Kate Spade Japan Co. after it buys Sanei International Co.'s 51%  stake in the business. Fifth & Pacific said the deal is expected to cost $45 million to $50 million, including debt repayment and transaction fees.

April 11, 2012
Simon launches construction on Shisui Premium Outlets

Simon Property Group said that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it began construction of Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday that, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co., it began construction of Shisui Premium Outlets (Shisui Town, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture), the ninth Premium Outlet Center in Japan.

Phase I, comprising 234,000 sq. ft. of GLA, is scheduled to open in spring 2013 with approximately 100 stores, including international brands, Japanese brands and restaurants. Simon owns a 40% interest in the project.
 

March 12, 2012
High Gas Prices + Warm Weather = Low Sales?

Well, 2012 is certainly off to a wild start. While there’s been nothing quite as dramatic and earth shattering as last year’s tsunami in Japan, there are plenty of global events and outside influences affecting our industry.

Well, 2012 is certainly off to a wild start. While there’s been nothing quite as dramatic and earth shattering as last year’s tsunami in Japan, there are plenty of global events and outside influences affecting our industry. I’m talking about the increases we’re seeing at the gas pumps and the warmer-than-average winter we’ve been experiencing throughout the country.

March 1, 2012
Simon and Bailian Group to develop a Premium Outlet Center in China

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, along with Chinese retail conglomerate Bailian Group, announced plans to jointly develop a branded Premium Outlet Center in Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Shanghai, China -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, along with Chinese retail conglomerate Bailian Group, announced plans to jointly develop a branded Premium Outlet Center in Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Simon Property Group is the world's largest developer, owner and operator of outlet shopping centers, with interests in 70 Premium Outlet Centers located in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

February 21, 2012
Collective Brands’ Perfomance + Lifestyle Group to expand overseas

The Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), which owns such brands as Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite, announced today that is has signed new agreements with partners in 10 countries to continue the rapid international expansion of several of its brands in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, five South American countries and the Czech Republic.

Lexington, Mass. -- The Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), which owns such brands as Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite, announced today that is has signed new agreements with partners in 10 countries to continue the rapid international expansion of several of its brands in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, five South American countries and the Czech Republic.

January 17, 2012
Disney Store announces 2012 store opening plans

The Disney Store announced its 2012 store opening plans, which includes 13 new and remodeled locations in North America, and the company's first ever store in China, opening in the fall in Shanghai.

Pasadena, Calif. -- The Disney Store on Tuesday announced its 2012 store opening plans, which includes 13 new and remodeled locations in North America, and the company's first ever store in China, opening in the fall in Shanghai.
 
The North American openings include the debut of Disney's new interactive store format in the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Utah and Virginia.

December 2, 2011
Michael Kors looks to go public

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. is looking to raise as much as $792.3 million in an initial public offering that could value the company at $3.63 billion.

New York City -- Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. is looking to raise as much as $792.3 million in an initial public offering that could value the company at $3.63 billion.

The luxury brand, which has 169 stores in North America and 34 in Europe and Japan, said in a regulatory filing that it is offering 41.7 million shares on behalf of existing shareholders for $17 to $19 each.

November 8, 2011
Uniqlo keeps checkout line moving with queuing system

Uniqlo, the fast-growing apparel retailer from Japan, has implemented queue management systems from Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company, at its two new flagships in New York City (Fifth Avenue and 34th Street).

New York City -- Uniqlo, the fast-growing apparel retailer from Japan, has implemented queue management systems from Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company, at its two new flagships in New York City (Fifth Avenue and 34th Street).

The custom-designed sleek, stainless steel Tensabarrier guidance system is designed to echo the ultra-modern store interior while helping guide customers easily through the checkout process and increase efficiencies in customer flow.

September 20, 2011
Three Ways to Prevent Your Customer From Escaping When a Product is Not Available

By Richard Hearn, CEO, Crown Partners

By Richard Hearn, CEO, Crown Partners

August 31, 2011
Tesco pulls out of Japanese market

Grocery giant Tesco PLC said Wednesday it is pulling out of Japan, which means shuttering 129 small, leasehold-owned stores in the Greater Tokyo area, which employ 4,000 people.

London -- Grocery giant Tesco PLC said Wednesday it is pulling out of Japan, which means shuttering 129 small, leasehold-owned stores in the Greater Tokyo area, which employ 4,000 people. The country is the smallest of Tesco’s international retail businesses, and the weakest for sales growth in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

“Having made considerable efforts in Japan, we have concluded that we cannot build a sufficiently scalable business,” said Philip Clarke, CEO.

June 21, 2011
Wal-Mart’s Japan chief resigns unexpectedly

A Monday report by the Financial Times said that Walmart’s chief executive in Japan has resigned suddenly, just over a year after he assumed the position.

Tokyo -- A Monday report by the Financial Times said that Walmart’s chief executive in Japan has resigned suddenly, just over a year after he assumed the position.

Toru Noda became CEO of Walmart Japan and Seiyu, its Japanese supermarket chain, in February 2010. He has cited personal reasons for the unexpected departure.

Noda will be replaced by Steve Dacus, former COO of both Walmart Japan and Seiyu.

April 26, 2011
Coach Q3 profit boosted by strong sales in North America

Coach's third-quarter net income increased 18% amid higher demand in North America, which helped offset an estimated $20 million hit to its revenue from Japan's tsunami and earthquake.

New York City -- Coach's third-quarter net income increased 18% amid higher demand in North America, which helped offset an estimated $20 million hit to its revenue from Japan's tsunami and earthquake. Same-store sales in North America rose 10.3%. Analysts said Coach’s results offered further proof that spending by affluent shoppers is back on track and rising faster than other segments.

Net income rose to $186 million for the three months that ended April 2, up from $157.6 million a year earlier. Revenue rose nearly 15% to $950.7 million.

April 1, 2011
Chain retailers: Push on following Japan crises, serving community & making a difference

By Eric White, Wren Solutions

By Eric White, eric.white@wrensolutions.com

March 30, 2011
Asia CEO: Wal-Mart makes $16 billion sales annually in Japan, China, India

Wal-Mart Stores’ Scott Price, CEO for Asia, said Wednesday that the retailer makes $16 billion in annual sales in Japan, China and India.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores’ Scott Price, CEO for Asia, said Wednesday that the retailer makes $16 billion in annual sales in Japan, China and India.

In a report broadcast on Wal-Mart’s website and covered by Bloomberg, Price said that operations in Japan have $8 billion annual sales from 414 stores with 36,000 workers.

Annual revenue is $7.5 billion in China, generated by 329 stores, and sales in India are less than $1 billion a year, according to Price.

March 28, 2011
Wal-Mart to reopen 12 quake-hit stores in Japan

Wal-Mart Stores announced Sunday that it will re-open 12 of its Seiyu stores in Japan, which were affected by the earthquake.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Sunday that it will re-open 12 of its Seiyu stores in Japan, which were affected by the earthquake. A company spokesman added that the retailer is hoping to open the remaining 12 impacted stores as soon as possible.

Wal-Mart has 371 stores and 43 deli outlets in Japan, of which 24 were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Of Wal-Mart's affected stores, two were severely hit and were completely covered by mud, according to the company.