Isetan Mitsukoshi began selling its new randoseru school bags on July 1st. Within two weeks of the launch, sales have reportedly increased by 200% compared to the previous year. We spoke to the buyer in charge about this year's trends. "Usually, randoseru sales peak around the Obon season in August, when three generations of the family can shop together, but this year, the peak occurred in the first week of sales. Starting July 29th, we will be further expanding the randoseru sales area and broadening our lineup," said the buyer, unable to hide his confusion and delight at the clearly different customer trends from last year. This year's highlight is Isetan Mitsukoshi's original "Pattern Made Randoseru" (priced from 53,000 to 66,000 yen). Customers can choose from cowhide or Clarino (artificial leather) materials and a choice of 11 colors. The interior design can also be customized with argyle, floral, heart, or Isetan tartan check patterns, such as "Macmillan/Isetan" and "Black Watch/Isetan Men's." Customers can also choose from five button designs, including emblem and ivy buttons. Sales of this randoseru are said to be four times higher than the previous year in the two weeks since its launch.

Other products include the "New Standard Randoseru" (70,000 yen), an original Mitsukoshi Isetan product available for both boys and girls, jointly developed by children's clothing brand "cokitica" and long-established randoseru and bag manufacturer "Obaseiho," founded in 1935, as well as the "Little Classical Randoseru" (63,000 yen), a collaboration between Mitsukoshi Isetan and cutting-edge fashion brand "Velnica," which features striking swan embroidery and decorative belts, and is also available for girls, with some items already sold out.

Also available is the "Ballerina Randoseru" (68,000 yen, on sale from July 29th), from Mitsukoshi Isetan's original private brand "Loistar," which is aimed at girls, and as its name suggests, features designs of ballerina shoes and dancer icons on the sides and interior, making it look cute. Also available from Roystar is the "Pearl Lace Randoseru" (55,000 yen), which has delicate lace details on the cover and sides that give it an even more elegant look.

The range of randoseru for boys includes the "Rock Style Special Randoseru" (57,000 yen) which is studded with silver studs all over, the "Art Face Randoseru" (63,000 yen) which has embossed polka dot and checkered patterns peeking through the holes in the cover, and the pop "Premium Randoseru" (60,000 yen) which is a collaboration between sports brand "PUMA" and Isetan Mitsukoshi and features the "Angel Wings" function.