Isetan Shinjuku Main Store to Expand Services for International Shoppers

The Isetan Mitsukoshi Group welcomes about one million international shoppers annually at its twenty-four department stores in Japan. At the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, sales to international shoppers in fiscal 2017 increased by about 30% from fiscal 2016, breaking past records. The sales to international shopper’s share reached over 10% of total store sales. Given the fact, The Isetan Mitsukoshi Group enhances Inbound marketing as one of a important corporate strategy. In order to provide the same level of hospitality and convenience to international customers as already provided to Japanese customers, and to make the shopping experience more enjoyable, the store will enhance tax-free support and will provide better service to international customers.

■Enhancement of tax-free support - Tax-Free Counter expansion and installation of Guest Card Counter

In addition to the Tax-Free Counter on the sixth floor of the Main Building, a new Tax-Free Counter will be installed on the second basement floor of the Main Building, thereby raising the number of tax-free counter location in the building to two. A new counter for issuing Guest Cards will also be installed on the second basement floor, expanding the scope of services.

1)Installation of Tax-Free Counter: Main Building B2F

・The new Tax-Free Counter with eight windows improves customer convenience.

・The new Tax-Free Counter include two windows where shoppers can order services such as hotel delivery and overseas shipping.

2)Installation of Guest Card* Counter: Main Building B2F

・The Shinjuku Main Store’s first counter for issuing Guest Cards will be installed with three windows.

*A courtesy card for international shoppers, which entitles the bearer to a 5% discount on cash, credit card, and UnionPay card, Alipay, etc. purchases (Exceptions apply for certain items and card will be issued under certain conditions.)

■Expansion of services for international shoppers - using digital tools for customer services

1) Installation of automated tax-refund machines: Tax-Free Counter on Main Building B2F

・Installation of two automated Tax-Free kiosk.

･Streamlining of tax-free procedure to reduce congestion situations.

2) Installation of automatic translation tools: Main Building and Men’s Building

・To promote multilingual digitalization and enhance in-store language support, the number of handy type automatic translation devices will be doubled to fifty with support available for 74 languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, etc.)

3)Expansion of electronic payment (Alipay) : certain floors of Main Building

・Alipay payment is available on ladies’ and men’s floor in addition to cosmetics, jewelries and watches floor.

4)Implementation of e-signing in tax-free procedure: Tax-Free Counters on Main Building 6F and B2F

・Implementing e-signing in the tax-free procedure will improve customer convenience.

■Links:

・Video site introducing Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Group:http://www.imhds.co.jp/english/company/movie/

・Corporate data on Mitsukoshi Holdings Group:http://www.imhds.co.jp/english/company/number.html

・Corporate website:http://www.imhds.co.jp/english/