Yushin Creation Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka) is on the offensive.
On the 26th of last month, they opened a global flagship model store at Grand Front Osaka for YEVS, with an eye toward expanding overseas into developed countries. Located on the first floor of the North Building, the store has a floor area of 486.39 square meters and is a combined store format for both men's and women's wear.
The approximately 40-meter window display facing the public road features "mode" visuals by graphic designer Shimada Tamotsu, intended to revamp the brand's image. In September, they plan to open a Tokyo flagship store along Meiji Dori in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The general goods shop ASOKO, which opened in Minami-Horie, Osaka in March, is also gaining popularity. "All the customers who come here look so happy. It brings me to tears to see craftsmen searching for screwdrivers or children buying 20-yen erasers," says company president Junji Morishima enthusiastically.
The store offers a wide selection of stylish everyday items, from stationery and household goods to camping tents and bicycles, at reasonable prices ranging from just a few tens of yen to over 20,000 yen. Everything from purchasing to sales is handled in-house.
"If we can gain support as a company, we think a minimum profit margin is enough. Accessories and miscellaneous goods don't have sales, don't have seasons, and don't qualify as carry-on items. We'd like to introduce this sales method to our clothing as well. We're seeing bad habits, like charging double the price to take advantage of sales."
The store is also looking to Tokyo by the end of the year and overseas next year. "I want to open a store in the heart of Tokyo with an impact that surpasses Osaka. Gaining support in Tokyo will be a step toward going global. I'm planning to expand overseas to developed countries. I think we'll be well-received in New York and Paris. I want to surprise people who have already seen all the good stuff. In addition to opening stores in core cities like New York, Paris, and Milan, I'm also considering opening an e-commerce site in each country. I previously said I wanted to open 100 stores in Japan within three years, but I'm starting to change my mind and think that Osaka, Tokyo, and e-commerce will be enough," he said, explaining his plans. He also plans to open a New York branch by the end of the year or early next year. Next spring, he is also planning to launch a new, comprehensive store format targeting everyone from children to seniors, offering everything from clothing to miscellaneous goods and furniture. "We're going to compete in four areas: Eaves, Asoko, the new store format, and e-commerce. We aim for sales of 30 billion yen in four years. If I don't say it, they won't do it (laughs)," he said, encouraging himself.
