December 2000

• Louis Vuitton's record ¥100 ban
  With sales up 27% in the first half, Vuitton looks set to be the first imported brand to reach sales of ¥100 billion. And there is more to come. LVMH will roll out four new megastores, a museum, and Internet sales in the next two years. LVMH Japan is on a roll.
• Editorial: What's up (or rather down) with Muji?
  
• Daiei/Warner joint venture ends
  Warner Bros. stores in Japan is set to be the latest Daiei tied joint venture to come to an end.
• Changing the rules of distribution
  With Carrefour opening within the month and several other major Western food chains taking a serious look at Japan, some suppliers are taking a new look at distribution practices.
• Japanese competitors hit panic button as Amazon goes live
  Amazon.co.jp went live in early November, instantly boosting the options Japanese consumers have for buying English books online. Competitors are in denial, but Amazon could really shake up the market.
• Prada Group focuses on Japan: new subsidiaries and stores
  Prada Group is probably the main challenger to LVMH for the prize of best managed overseas brand group in Japan. Prada is continuing to organize to take further advantage of the incredible opportunities for top brands.
• Sogo asks for forgiveness—and another massive handout
  Sogo went bankrupt in July. Now the company is ready to start its restructuring program. The plan contains some much needed fat reduction, but it may not be enough for creditors.
• Yahoo Japan adds Hello Kitty on-line in venture with Sanrio
  Yahoo Japan is the most popular and successful portal in Japan. The company is increasingly looking to tie up with major brands to make more and better income streams
• World's first Martin Margiela store opens in Tokyo
  In advance of its Paris store, Martin Margiela has opened a flagship store in Tokyo, underlining the importance of the market for top brands
• Jusco goes for the Global Standard
  Entry into Japan by overseas retailers is not so welcome here as the remarks about 'Black Ships' in the press have indicated but Japanese retailers are adopting global best practices.
• Furla: mixed retail and license business
• Focus: The SPAs in Japan:Bigger, better and moving overseas
  Japan has seen the rapid emergence of a group of well organized and profitable fashion retail chains in the last five years. In this month's focus, we look at the reasons behind their success and where they are moving. The results give an insight into how Japanese business is organized, with the real power brokers hidden behind the throne, and explains why these chains will prove to be significant competitors internationally.
• Retail Numbers: Bring on New Year
• News Clips
  Outlet Malls continue to be the Trojan horse for overseas retailers
  Carrefour announces rapid expansion
  Japan has a second fleece boom
  J. Crew Internet site launches
  Nike targets women
  Korean retail makes promising entry to Japan
  Live broadcast from your own home
  Grandberry Mall: The first six months
  French group Vivendi and Britain's Vodafone to tackle NTT DoCoMo's 'i-mode'
  REI expands business through net sales
  Toys'R' Us plans 300 stores: more kids apparel
  Ito-Yokado scales back number of ATMs in it's new bank
  New import restrictions on foods and textiles urged
  French connection to open