Ricori, a brand overseen and designed by former AKB48 member Shinoda Mariko, closed all of its stores on July 15th. Rigole, which plans, manufactures, and sells the brand, will cease operations by July 16th and will file for bankruptcy.
Starting with the Lumine Est Shinjuku store in February 2013, Ricori opened stores in various locations in quick succession, including the HEP FIVE and Shinsaibashi OPA stores in March of the same year, and the Hakata Hankyu store in August. However, concerns about the company's management structure were raised, with the Shinsaibashi OPA store closing after only six months (to be merged with the HEP FIVE store).
Shinoda Mariko posted on her Twitter account, "I am very surprised to hear that Ricori is closing. It's a shame, as I was helping out as an advisor until last year."

The cookies, said to be handmade by Shinoda and given only to those involved at the brand's launch party, were sold for 1 million yen on an auction site, and the logo was also a hot topic as it closely resembled that of a famous sweets brand.