Retail in Japan

Retail in Japan maintained slow and stable current value growth in 2024, with increases in both online and offline sales. Nevertheless, this is not to say the industry was without its challenges. For the past three decades before the war in Ukraine, Japan largely experienced calm annual inflation rates, with only three instances from 1992 to 2021 when inflation exceeded 1% or fell below 1%. These fluctuations occurred during notable events, such as the global financial crisis in 2008-2009, and a...

Euromonitor International's Retail in Japan report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report examines all retail channels to provide sector insight. Channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters, convenience stores, mixed retailers, health and beauty retailers, clothing and footwear retailers, furniture and furnishing stores, DIY and hardware stores, durable goods retailers, leisure and personal goods retailers. There are profiles of leading retailers, with analysis of their performance and the challenges they face. There is also analysis of non-store retailing: vending; homeshopping; internet retailing; direct selling, as available.

Product coverage: Retail E-Commerce, Retail Offline.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Retail market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.


Retail in Japan
Euromonitor International
March 2025
List Of Contents And Tables
RETAIL IN JAPAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Retail in 2024: The big picture
Changes in the competitive environment in retail
Japan’s retail industry embraces digital solutions to combat labour shortages
What next for retail?
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Summary 1 Standard Opening Hours by Channel Type 2024
Seasonality
Hatsu Uri (“First Sales”) at New Year
Valentine’s Day
White Day
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Summer Bargains
Halloween
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Christmas and Year-end Bargains
MARKET DATA
Table 1 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2019-2024
Table 2 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 3 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 6 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 7 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 8 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 9 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 10 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 11 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 12 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 13 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 14 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 16 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 17 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 18 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 19 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 20 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 21 Retail GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 22 Retail GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 23 Retail Offline GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 24 Retail Offline GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 25 Retail Offline LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 26 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 27 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 28 Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 29 Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 30 Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 31 Non-Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 32 Non-Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 33 Non-Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 34 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2024-2029
Table 35 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 36 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 37 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 38 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 39 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 40 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 41 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 42 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 43 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 44 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 45 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 46 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 47 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 48 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 49 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 50 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 51 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 52 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 53 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 2 Research Sources
CONVENIENCE RETAILERS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Growing demand for convenience as people return to work
Top three players in convenience stores each show a different strategy
Price-sensitive consumers seek value for money, and will not accept simplification or shrinkflation
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Convenience stores as essential social infrastructure
Diversifying revenue streams important to increase profitability
Adapting to growing inbound demand
CHANNEL DATA
Table 54 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 55 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 56 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 57 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 58 Convenience Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 59 Convenience Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 60 Convenience Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 61 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 62 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 63 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 64 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
HYPERMARKETS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Shift to speciality stores leads to downward value trend for hypermarkets
AEON Group continues to lead hypermarkets
Restructuring for improved management efficiency
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Improving apparel profits is key to future growth
Hypermarkets accelerate digital strategies
Accelerating efforts towards sustainability
CHANNEL DATA
Table 65 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 66 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 67 Hypermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 68 Hypermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 69 Hypermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 70 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 71 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
SUPERMARKETS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
The number of stores and retail sales show growth in supermarkets in 2024
Ongoing competition for customers with drugstores
Expansion of online and delivery services proves effective
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities in urban areas for large-scale supermarkets
Cost increases due to labour hour restrictions in the logistics industry
Self-checkout and cashless options to address labour shortages
CHANNEL DATA
Table 72 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 73 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 74 Supermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 75 Supermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 76 Supermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 77 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 78 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
SMALL LOCAL GROCERS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Decline in store numbers and value sales continues
Revitalising and rebuilding shotengai (local shopping streets) is crucial
Demand for products from specialists helps limit decline
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Urban and rural areas will remain unequal in shopping access
Enhancing appeal to inbound tourists to drive sales
New concepts and niches anticipated in small local grocers
CHANNEL DATA
Table 79 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 80 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 81 Small Local Grocers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 82 Small Local Grocers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 83 Small Local Grocers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 84 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 85 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Department stores thrives amidst yen depreciation and rising inbound demand
Trend-driven beauty strategy beyond price constraints
Variety stores differentiate through strengthened private label lines
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Department stores to seize opportunities from growing inbound demand with emphasis on omnichannel strategy
Store-centric variety stores rely on consumer interaction for a competitive edge
@cosme’s unique strategy in beauty retail
CHANNEL DATA
Table 86 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 87 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 88 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 89 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 90 General Merchandise Stores GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 91 General Merchandise Stores GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 92 General Merchandise Stores LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 93 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 94 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 95 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 96 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR SPECIALISTS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Store growth stalls as shift to online accelerates
Fast Retailing continues to grow, with a wide store presence
Competitive landscape intensifies within a fragmented channel; success in urban areas key to further growth
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Demand from inbound tourists remains crucial for the future
Online shopping becomes more convenient, highlighting the need to consider offline value
Loyalty strategy key for cross-channel users, who shop both offline and online
CHANNEL DATA
Table 97 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 98 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 99 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 100 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 101 Apparel and Footwear Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 102 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 103 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS SPECIALISTS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
The wide presence of appliances and electronics specialists
Two types of appliances and electronics specialists in Japan
Competition in Ikebukuro
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Shift to retail e-commerce likely to continue
The importance of offline retail set to endure
Strategic moves by Yamada Holdings
CHANNEL DATA
Table 104 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 105 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 106 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 107 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 108 Appliances and Electronics Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 109 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 110 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
HEALTH AND BEAUTY SPECIALISTS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Strong sales growth driven by store reopening as retail channels blur
Private label lines from health and beauty specialists embrace high added value
MatsukiyoCocokara & Co thrives thanks to recovery of inbound travel
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Intensifying competition in the consolidating health and beauty specialists landscape
Evolving digital services in pharmacy dispensing
Femtech and femcare likely to be trends seen in health and beauty specialists
CHANNEL DATA
Table 111 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 112 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 113 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 114 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 115 Health and Beauty Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 116 Health and Beauty Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 117 Health and Beauty Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 118 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 119 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 120 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 121 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
HOME PRODUCTS SPECIALISTS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Growth driven by increased awareness of need for disaster preparedness
Nitori drives product range expansion with availability of appliances
Focusing on private label is essential for differentiation
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Home product specialists transform into gathering spaces through events and experiences
Retail e-commerce and other channels pose a threat to home products specialists for sales of pet products
Addressing consumers concentrated in urban areas
CHANNEL DATA
Table 122 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 123 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 124 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 125 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 126 Home Products Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 127 Home Products Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 128 Home Products Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 129 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 130 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 131 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 132 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
DIRECT SELLING IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Headwinds in direct selling and their impact on sales of supplements
Regulatory guidance to Amway, and efforts to enhance transparency
Yakult’s initiatives to strengthen community welfare programmes
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Small players expected to be eliminated in direct selling
Addressing challenges of strengthened government regulations
Differentiation strategies through payment services and membership benefits
CHANNEL DATA
Table 133 Direct Selling by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 134 Direct Selling by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 135 Direct Selling GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 136 Direct Selling GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 137 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 138 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
VENDING IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Positive performance despite price increases
Coca-Cola leads with a strong loyalty programme and sustainable actions
Demand for vending rises to prevent heatstroke amidst extreme temperatures
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Creating new value through experience offerings
The role of vending machines as social infrastructure
Partnerships formed to address labour shortages and leverage AI solutions
CHANNEL DATA
Table 139 Vending by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 140 Vending by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 141 Vending GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 142 Vending GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 143 Vending Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 144 Vending Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RETAIL E-COMMERCE IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Growth slows with return to physical stores, yet shopping events drive sales
Amazon Japan leads retail e-commerce
TAO launches as Temu and other budget e-commerce platforms thrive
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Diverse payment methods create seamless transactions
Logistics challenges persist – companies are taking action
Amazon and Docomo partnership intensifies ecosystem competition
CHANNEL DATA
Table 145 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 146 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 147 Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 148 Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 149 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 150 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 151 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 152 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 153 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 154 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029

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