Seibu & Sogo Co has revealed a unique department store model as it undertakes a major renovation of its Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store in Tokyo.

With the theme of “Inclusion,” the revamped store will move away from the traditional segregation of men’s and women’s sections and welcome all customers in “unifying spaces where friends, couples, and families can shop and enjoy time together”. 

Each floor will be designed using the architectural concept of “maison” (“house” in French) to create spaces that aim to embody three elements: class, sophistication, and art.

The main focus will be luxury, cosmetics, and the basement deli section, while the fashion areas will have sales floors that are no longer divided into traditional spaces for women and men.

The luxury section will feature 60 brands and be presented in mixed men’s and women’s shops, with a sales floor area 1.3 times larger than the current size.

Cosmetics will offer 60 domestic and international brands, including unisex brands that customers can shop for with their partners, and will have a sales floor area 1.7 times larger than the current size.

The basement deli – considered the traditional face of the department store – will bring together Seibu’s main offerings and showcase about 180 shops, including new brands.

“As lifestyles diversify, department stores are entering an era where they are required to evolve,” said the company. 

The company said its Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store will provide new value “tailored to customer needs while retaining the excellent services of traditional department stores”.

The store will reopen in stages starting January next year, with a grand reopening planned for the summer.