Laox, a name apparently derived from Latin, was born in Japan more than 50 years ago, but in 2001 the company went under. Since being rescued by its new Chinese parent, the chain has re-emerged as the single leading retailer targeting tourists, and a major source of sales for brands of cosmetics, fashion, jewellery, and […]
Everyone knows that tourist spending is booming, helping department stores in particular offset weaker domestic spending on discretionary items. But how much each tourist spends and what they spend it on is harder to define. A recent survey of 15,000 tourists helps to shed light on Japan’s great Tourist Dividend; while Chinese dominate in both […]
Like all the big apparel groups, Onward is trying to escape dependence on department stores on the one hand, and weaker sales of its European division on the other. To fix this, it is teaming up with a department store to create a new brand aimed at Western markets, and with Chinese-owned Laox to target […]
Japan is enjoying unprecedented growth in inbound tourism. Department stores, hotels and overseas brands are benefiting first and foremost, but other formats are also eagerly introducing services and ranges directly targeting the tourist market. Most of these services have, so far, remained basic, concentrating on duty-free sales and acceptance of Chinese debit and credit cards. […]
Tourism has helped boost city department store revenues by as much as 10-15%, but until now the only real benefit for foreign customers has been the consumption tax rebate – and even that was highly restricted until now. Isetan-Mitsukoshi will go one further next year, opening a dedicated duty-free store that will sell luxury brands […]
Japan has the lowest levels of inbound tourism among advanced economies, but this is about to change thanks to lavish marketing, the growing affluence of neighbouring populations, Japan’s increasing soft power, and the Olympics in 2020. The benefits to retailers and brands will be immense. At a Japan Shopping Centre conference in Yokohama recently, there […]
