Department store showdown in Japan

Stiff competition between department stores and shops from two Japanese districts Ginza and Yurakucho has created a blossoming retail industry in the two neighbouring districts.

Japanese department store chain Hankyu Department Store has reopened its Yurakucho branch located within Yurakucho Marion on Saturday. The relaunched department store features sundry goods and men’s fashion.

Lumine, a department store specialising in high end products, is also set to open on October 28. It will be located in the building formerly occupied by Seibu Department Store. It will cater customers age 20s to 30s. The department store hopes to attract more customers through its effort to set up food section.

Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, a retailer which targets businessmen in 30s and 40s as customers, has also opened on Saturday. The store sells wide collection of brand name suits, bags and leather goods.

Hankyu Department Store has been a leading trendsetter since 1984. However, the competition has been heightened by the sprouting rivals in the neighbourhood. The launch of fashion stores such as H &M in Ginza has led the Hankyu Department Store to do a make over to cope with the changing environment.

While department stores and retailers in Yurakucho are engaged in promoting and renovating, department stores and shops in Ginza are also preparing their counter actions by undergoing renovations. Printemps in Ginza has been refurbishing since September to provide customers with spacious fitness and interior decorating goods display area. Also, Matzuya Ginza which sells lifestyle goods and high end brands has also undergone a make over. Matsuya has also launched sales on its men’s suits, and it plans to offer wider lifestyle goods collection.

Department stores Mitsukoshi Ginza and Matsuya Ginza will hold Ginza Fashion Week starting October 19. During the period, the two department stores will display special products on their shop windows and will sell items of limited edition.

GB

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