
Japan's department store shares lag as tourist splurge slows
Low confidence stemming from economic uncertainty has also crimped tourist budgets with data compiled by the Japan Department Stores Association showing tax-free inbound sales at over 80 department stores across the country fell by 41% in May from a year earlier. The number of shoppers also slid, despite the tally of visitors setting a new record.
'The yen has gotten a bit stronger, which makes them feel like the deal isn't as good anymore,' said Tetsuo Seshimo, a portfolio manager at Saison Asset Management. 'Even if tourists visit Japan, whether they want to make purchases will depend on the level of confidence they have,' he added referring to their conviction in the economic strength of their home country.
The drop in sales continued into June with retailer H20 Retailing Corp. and Matsuya Co. Ltd.'s flagship stores announcing two-digit decline from a year earlier. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. saw a decline of nearly a tenth from a year ago.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fashion Network
3 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Le Coq Sportif: Dan Mamane wins the match and chooses Alexandre Fauvet as CEO
Dan Mamane is not, of course, alone in building the project selected by the Paris court. He is backed by the Mirabaud Patrimoine Vivant investment fund, which in the past took a minority stake in Le Coq Sportif under the aegis of former French Minister of the Economy Renaud Dutreil. The brand will be entrusted to Alexandre Fauvet, a former Lacoste executive who was recently CEO and minority shareholder of premium alpine brand Fusalp. In a press release, the consortium also stated that the "project includes the support of the Japanese group Itochu, owner of the brand in Asia, as well as that of Udi Avshalom, a world-renowned sneaker expert and former COO of Adidas, who will take on the position of Global Brand Strategic Advisor." A large-scale partnership, but for what project? "The plan validated by the court aims to reposition Le Coq Sportif as a benchmark international brand in high-end sports and lifestyle. The ambition is to achieve sales of 300 million euros in 2030 (compared with 122 in 2023) and "a return to sustained profitability." To achieve this, the brand will "develop its offer, with a new segmentation around four universes: sportstyle, sport heritage, lifestyle chic and technical performance. Distribution will be rebalanced between the selective network, e-commerce, marketplaces, and affiliated stores. Internationally, the ambition is clear: to triple the share of sales outside France by 2027." "After some difficult years, Le Coq Sportif needs to regain its influence and desirability, and that's what our project is all about. It is based on strong convictions and the assets of this emblematic brand: a French brand, unique textile know-how, a precious territorial anchorage, and immense potential for reconquest," explained Mamane in the consortium's press release. "We will give back to Le Coq Sportif the means to innovate, to seduce world markets again and to assert itself as a reference of French style and sport." As rumors have suggested in recent weeks, the French industrial aspect seems to have weighed heavily. The buyer explains that the historic workshops in Romilly-sur-Seine, a few kilometers from Troyes, will play an important role in the strategy, which aims to bring together creative, industrial and strategic functions, whereas the company previously had major offices in the heart of Paris. The Romilly-sur-Seine site will become a true reference center for textile innovation, high-end production, and the circular economy. It will also house a research and development center, enabling the integration of the most advanced technologies in terms of design, materials, and responsible production." All the expertise of the new CEO, Fauvet, will be needed to deploy this approach to the product, at a time when the brand has been confronted with delicate seasons in terms of sales to both French and international multi-brand customers.


Fashion Network
3 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Le Coq Sportif: Dan Mamane wins the match and chooses Alexandre Fauvet as CEO
Dan Mamane is not, of course, alone in building the project selected by the Paris court. He is backed by the Mirabaud Patrimoine Vivant investment fund, which in the past took a minority stake in Le Coq Sportif under the aegis of former French Minister of the Economy Renaud Dutreil. The brand will be entrusted to Alexandre Fauvet, a former Lacoste executive who was recently CEO and minority shareholder of premium alpine brand Fusalp. In a press release, the consortium also stated that the "project includes the support of the Japanese group Itochu, owner of the brand in Asia, as well as that of Udi Avshalom, a world-renowned sneaker expert and former COO of Adidas, who will take on the position of Global Brand Strategic Advisor." A large-scale partnership, but for what project? "The plan validated by the court aims to reposition Le Coq Sportif as a benchmark international brand in high-end sports and lifestyle. The ambition is to achieve sales of 300 million euros in 2030 (compared with 122 in 2023) and "a return to sustained profitability." To achieve this, the brand will "develop its offer, with a new segmentation around four universes: sportstyle, sport heritage, lifestyle chic and technical performance. Distribution will be rebalanced between the selective network, e-commerce, marketplaces, and affiliated stores. Internationally, the ambition is clear: to triple the share of sales outside France by 2027." "After some difficult years, Le Coq Sportif needs to regain its influence and desirability, and that's what our project is all about. It is based on strong convictions and the assets of this emblematic brand: a French brand, unique textile know-how, a precious territorial anchorage, and immense potential for reconquest," explained Mamane in the consortium's press release. "We will give back to Le Coq Sportif the means to innovate, to seduce world markets again and to assert itself as a reference of French style and sport." As rumors have suggested in recent weeks, the French industrial aspect seems to have weighed heavily. The buyer explains that the historic workshops in Romilly-sur-Seine, a few kilometers from Troyes, will play an important role in the strategy, which aims to bring together creative, industrial and strategic functions, whereas the company previously had major offices in the heart of Paris. The Romilly-sur-Seine site will become a true reference center for textile innovation, high-end production, and the circular economy. It will also house a research and development center, enabling the integration of the most advanced technologies in terms of design, materials, and responsible production." All the expertise of the new CEO, Fauvet, will be needed to deploy this approach to the product, at a time when the brand has been confronted with delicate seasons in terms of sales to both French and international multi-brand customers.


Fashion Network
a day ago
- Fashion Network
Japan's department store shares lag as tourist splurge slows
Once the darling of Japanese stock investors, department stores have lagged the recent broad market rally and could fall further behind as a strong yen dents tourist spending power. Low confidence stemming from economic uncertainty has also crimped tourist budgets with data compiled by the Japan Department Stores Association showing tax-free inbound sales at over 80 department stores across the country fell by 41% in May from a year earlier. The number of shoppers also slid, despite the tally of visitors setting a new record. 'The yen has gotten a bit stronger, which makes them feel like the deal isn't as good anymore,' said Tetsuo Seshimo, a portfolio manager at Saison Asset Management. 'Even if tourists visit Japan, whether they want to make purchases will depend on the level of confidence they have,' he added referring to their conviction in the economic strength of their home country. The drop in sales continued into June with retailer H20 Retailing Corp. and Matsuya Co. Ltd.'s flagship stores announcing two-digit decline from a year earlier. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. saw a decline of nearly a tenth from a year ago.