Business Nov 24, 2021
Lucky bags for new year in Japan feature experiences for 2022
This season, the bags, called fukubukuro, will feature items related to workations, glamping and luxury treats.
Business Nov 5, 2021
Domestic confectionery makers' efforts to break their dependency on tourists are likely to continue despite the lifting of the state of emergency in September.
Business Nov 2, 2021
U.S. toymaker looks beyond port logjams to the risk of gluts
by Timothy Aeppel
A key concern in the current environment is that companies will order too many goods as they scramble to fill orders.
Business Nov 1, 2021
Troubles in China’s ‘Christmas Town’ mean higher holiday prices
Factories are being hit by a shortage of raw materials that’s raising their production costs.
Business Oct 28, 2021
Japan’s retail sales beat estimates as shoppers defy virus fears
The stronger-than-expected gain suggests overall consumption, the biggest component of the economy, may not have declined last quarter as much as expected.
Business Oct 18, 2021
Chinese tourists’ disappearance is remaking Hong Kong retail
by Shirley Zhao and Shawna Kwan
The number of restaurants and food grocery outlets has grown 9%.
Business Aug 8, 2021
Global supply snags could mean fewer toys under the Christmas tree
Global shipping snags are causing shortages, delivery delays and price increases — all headaches for toy stores and manufacturers.
National Aug 5, 2021
Olympic merchandise selling well as Japan's medal haul grows
One official shop in Tokyo's Shinjuku district was stocked with some 1,700 items, but popular goods such as pin badges and mugs quickly sold out after the games got under way.
National Aug 3, 2021
Locked in, athletes and reporters turn to temporary post offices for Olympic memories
The sites in the Tokyo athletes village and the main press center have become valuable souvenir shopping spots amid restrictions on movement amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Business / Corporate Jul 31, 2021
Amazon pandemic bump fades as vaccinated shoppers leave home
by Spencer Soper
The world’s biggest e-commerce retailer on Thursday reported sales and gave a forecast that fell short of expectations.
Business / Corporate Jun 11, 2021
SoftBank's PayPay surges ahead in Japan's digital payments race
by Sam Nussey
PayPay has deployed a shoe-leather sales force of thousands to target restaurants, drugstores and supermarkets, attracting more than 3 million merchants.
Business / Economy | FOCUS Jun 5, 2021
Japan consumers get mixed bag of slow wage growth and forced savings
by Noriyuki Suzuki
Some economists estimate that the pandemic has forced Japanese households to save about ¥13 trillion ($118 billion), or roughly 4% of Japan's annual consumption.