NARITA, Chiba Pref. -- When Masatoshi Uchida joined New Tokyo International Airport Authority, the quasi-governmental organ that operates Narita airport, in 1977, he never dreamed he'd end up selling Hermes goods.
Uchida, 49, was seconded from the now-defunct Passenger Terminal Department to the New Tokyo International Airport Promotion Foundation to take charge of the brand's duty-free shop for two years through last June. The purpose was to learn retail knowhow.
"I found it challenging to deal with customers and make money," he said. As a store manager, he dealt in popular items such as tote bags, jewelry, and watches worth up to some 1 million yen a piece, as well as less popular products like beach towels and tableware.