TOKYO (Reuters)-
While it is difficult for Japanese retailers to cope with the burden of an increase in sales tax, discount store operator Tangji jote Holdings aims to make it 25-
By adopting a different approach, profit growth for one year: turning Japan into a tourist destination.
Foreign tourists flock to a 24-person chain. hour mega-
Midnight shopping spree stores cost an average of nearly 20 times more than typical Japanese shoppers.
Other retailers are seeking to follow the example of Don quiit, as Japan expanded its list of goods eligible for tax exemption on Wednesday --free shopping.
Don Quette, known for selling everything from toilet paper to sex toys to Prada handbags, has long attracted foreign tourists --
Including Lady Gaga
However, according to the number of tourists, Japan ranked 33 in the world, with only 3 foreign tourists.
The company earned 5% of its revenue last year, most of which came from some branches in Tokyo and Osaka.
Don Quette now hopes to promote Japan to international tourists by working with hotels, restaurants and even rival retailers to further boost sales.
A company that was spun up last year aims to work with local governments and businesses to attract tourists by promoting maps and membership cards, advising businesses to provide tax-free services
Free service and language courses are offered to shop assistants.
The company said the move would eventually be 250-
As the government aims to double the number of visitors by 2020 to 20 million, stores across the country have doubled.
Takao Yasuda, founder and chief executive of Don quart, told Reuters: \"It is important to establish a framework to attract Japanese tourists, which needs to surpass a company or industry.
As the population decreases and ages, attracting travel money is essential to curb the decline in sales by Japanese retailers.
Japan will also raise the sales tax to 10% in next October, which poses a further threat to spending.
Taxes rose to 8% from 5% in April.
Major retailers such as Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings have only recently realized potential unexpected gains for tourists.
Sanyue\'s flagship store in the high-end banking area will transform the entire floor to meet the needs of inbound tourists, but this will not be realized until the end of next year.
Meanwhile, Don Quette has been working here for six years and has signed award agreements for hundreds of travel agencies and hotels.
Bar by distribution
Coded membership cards, they earned 3% of their income in the Don Quette store.
Due to bad weather affecting sales of most retailers in August
Data from this week show household spending has fallenthan-expected 4.
That month 7%.
Don Quette saw it too.
Store sales rose 2. 3 percent.
Tourists spend more than 40,000 yen ($365)
Compared with 2,400 yen for domestic consumers, the average price of its stores is yen.
Most tourists shop between 10 pence, Mr. Tang said. m. and 2 a. m. at its outlets.
Ryota Himeno, retail analyst at Barclays, said: \"Don Quette is unparalleled in capturing inbound tourists . \".
Don Quijote estimates that half of Japan\'s 10 million tourists went shopping in stores last year. From Oct.
1. tourists who purchase goods over 5,000 yen, such as snacks, drinks and cosmetics, will be exempt from sales tax ($45).
Tang Quette played an important role in lobbying for the change, which he believes is a powerful way to attract tourists.
\"There are no other stores selling toilet paper and Louis Vuitton bags,\" said CEO Yasuda . \".
\"It will be huge for us.
Tang Quette dates back to a small discount shop that Yasuda founded in 1978, and he flouted every rule in the book, most notably making it difficult to find goods, in a treasure hunt, force shoppers to navigate the winding aisle.
To get more foreigners involved in the game
Japan Inbound Solutions will provide upgraded membership cards starting on Wednesday, allowing visitors to earn points at partner hotels, restaurants, karaoke and elsewhere.
These points can be cashed out at the ATM at two Tokyo-based downcourt stores in the bustling Shinjuku district.
With membership cards popular across the country, the program will eventually install machines at all major airports.
Earlier, A move to promote Shinjuku during the Lunar New Year holiday this year has led to a five-fold increase in purchases of goods purchased in the region\'s Don Kuat stores with China UnionPay bank cards-far more than a four-fold increase in the country\'s entry solution to Japan nak Yiming, CEO of the company, said.
\"The idea is to repeat the formula in 47 counties in Japan by 2020,\" he told Reuters . \".
Nevertheless, in the past few years, the accident of tourism spending has been interrupted by the torch --
Diplomatic tensions, especially in China under Shinzo Abe.
While these falls are often short-lived
Yasuda said that Japan, as a country, fundamentally needs to find ways to improve its citizens\' foreign language ability to become more tourists. friendly.
\"Most of the tourists traveling to Japan have made a good impression,\" he said . \"
\"We just need to do better in marketing. ” (
$1 = 109
3500 yen)