Matsuya Ginza, the oldest department store in Ginza, is celebrating its 88th anniversary since its opening. The first major renovation in 12 years since the building's 2001 renovation, Matsuya Ginza, will hold its grand opening on the 14th. This project, which began in 2009, will cover seven floors, from the basement to the fourth, sixth, and seventh floors. The total renovation area is approximately 7,000 square meters. The target audience is women in their 30s and 40s who are particular about fashion and design. The store's international fashion zone, centered around the second floor's import brand floor, has been extensively renovated. The focus has been on women's shoes, with the sales floor roughly doubled. In addition to Roger Vivier, which is opening its Tokyo debut, Charlotte Olympia and Giuseppe Zanotti Design are also among the new openings. "In 2009, we had zero shoe brands, but we've increased that to 26. Similarly, we've increased the number of brands on the third floor from 65 to 72," emphasizes Takehiko Furuya, Matsuya's executive director and head office manager.

However, the focus isn't solely on shoes. The third floor is a contemporary import zone with a real taste. New stores include Repetto, Milly, and Kristina Ti. A central corner on the fourth floor houses the Issey Miyake brand. "Based on the philosophy that 'fashion starts from the feet,' we aim to attract customers with our wide selection of shoes, and we've also created a store and sales system that makes it easy to shop around and create complete outfits," he said.

Also noteworthy is Louis Vuitton, which has expanded its sales floor from the first to third floors, becoming Japan's largest full-category store. The exterior stretches up to the eighth floor, giving it the appearance of a separate store. The new bag series, "W Series," is on sale now.

In addition to merchandising, the store is also focusing on customer service by its staff. They have revised their training and will provide Japanese-style customer service through omotenashi (hospitality).

"The reopening comes at a good time, given the economic situation and the decision to hold the Tokyo Olympics. We want to do our best as the only department store with a flagship store in Ginza. We are aiming for a 107% increase in sales in the first six months. We have many events planned. The next six months will be a period of constant attack," said General Manager Furuya, showing his enthusiasm.