Shoplifting becomes unforeseen side effect of ban on free plastic bags
More and more customers are now taking advantage of their own personal, reusable bags to conceal unpaid items, making theft harder to spot.
Yamato Transport parcel delivery figures hit record high in October
The 20.7% year-on-year increase in the delivery figures was the largest since 2000, according to the company.
How Japan’s subscription economy could redefine the way consumers and firms interact
Japan has lagged behind other nations in terms of subscription-based activities, but the model is finally catching on as consumers explore new ways of doing business.
Japanese department stores to move up lucky bag sales amid pandemic
Major Japanese department store operators are poised to move up to year-end the launches of fukubukuro (lucky bags) for 2021 in order to prevent crowds from being formed as a measure against the coronavirus. The coronavirus crisis is set to change one of the typical ...
Japan department store sales down 22% in August amid virus spread
Confectionery products saw a 27.0 percent drop, partly because many people did not visit their family members or relatives during the holiday season.
Death knell sounds for Japanese department stores
The shops, which have struggled to modernize and adapt to new shopping styles, have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rising shoplifting after Japan's plastic bag tax prompts rethink of personal bag rules
A nonprofit group says shoplifting is on the rise following the start of mandatory charges for plastic bags in July.
Tokyo Station's new expansive shopping area opens after coronavirus delay
Gransta Tokyo features around 150 stores in the station's basement and ground floors, including some selling sake and fresh fish delivered by bullet train.
World economy’s sputtering recovery threatened by flaring coronavirus
The Asia-Pacific region has been hit hard by a resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
Japanese robot to clock in at a convenience store in test of retail automation
FamilyMart hopes to have robots working in 20 stores around Tokyo by 2022.
Japan's fussy food shoppers finally go online amid pandemic
Although the nation's e-commerce development lags behind that of its peers, COVID-19 has prompted a rise in buyers ordering from home.
All Japanese stores to charge shoppers for plastic bags from Wednesday
The measure is designed to protect the environment, but plastic shopping bags account for only around 2 percent of all plastic waste produced in the country.
