Paper Denim & Cloth

Mitsukoshi (site is Japanese only), meanwhile, constructed a new sales area in its Ginza shop geared toward working women in their thirties, unveiling it to the public on March 12. Mitsukoshi is also exercising control over all the merchandise from the time its buyers purchase the goods until the products are sold to customers. Many customers are drawn to a corner called "New York Runway," which has the atmosphere of a shop in New York's Soho district, an area popular with young people. A favorite of many is Paper Denim and Cloth, a line of distressed-denim clothes.

The flagship store of the Tokyu Department Store Co. (site is Japanese only) is located in Shibuya, and it intends to take advantage of its proximity to upscale neighborhoods. Renovations based on a concept of high-quality, upmarket merchandise were undertaken, and the store reopened on March 1. Tokyu strengthened its stock of perishable food items, a department-store staple, by inviting in the prestigious Kinokuniya supermarket chain. The image of a department store is largely dependent on its food products, so Tokyu hopes that the presence of this prestigious supermarket will help attract customers. Tokyu has also brought in British tableware-maker Wedgwood, which occupies a space of 330 square meters in the store, making this Wedgwood's largest outlet in Japan.