Yamada Denki Co., the nation's largest consumer electronics chain, opened its flagship store Friday in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district to compete with rivals Bic Camera Inc. and Sakuraya Co.

Thousands of people started lining up in front of the nine-floor, 23,000 sq.-meter outlet early in the morning to hunt for opening-day bargains. Yamada Denki said about 15,000 people showed up for the debut of LABI1 Japan head store Ikebukuro.

The chain, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, opened its first outlet in Ikebukuro in 2007. The old outlet, which is being refurbished, is scheduled to reopen Friday.

The company said it aims to rack up ¥80 billion in combined annual sales at the two outlets in Ikebukuro, one of the capital's prime shopping districts. Rival Bic Camera alone has five outlets in the area.

Yamada Denki's new outlet sells home electronics as well as cosmetics and toys, and also houses restaurants.