Nitori opens its first Korean store at E-Mart Hawolgok branch on the 23rd.
E-Mart Hawolgok branch, renewal opening… Nitori, 904 pyeong in size
Nitori to open at least 3rd to 4th store by April next year “Location not yet determined”
NITORI, the so-called ‘Japanese version of IKEA’, has landed in Korea for the first time and is attracting attention by opening its first store in Shinsegae Group’s E-Mart, not Lotte.
This is considered unusual as large Japanese retail brands such as UNIQLO and MUJI have usually entered Korea through Lotte’s distribution network.
According to the distribution industry on the 24th, Nitori Korea opened its first store at E-Mart Hawolgok branch.
The opening ceremony held the day before was attended by Han Chae-yang, CEO of E-Mart, Masanori Taketa, CEO of Nitori headquarters, and Keigo Onuki, CEO of Nitori Korea.
‘Nitori’, which opened its first Korean store with an area of 904 pyeong at E-Mart’s Howolgok branch, is Japan’s largest furniture and home furnishing retail company.
Starting as a furniture specialty store in 1967, it has expanded its product range to include daily necessities and miscellaneous goods.
In Korea, Nitori sells a variety of small and medium-sized furniture such as mattresses, dishes, sofas, and about 8,000 living and interior products, including the ‘N Series’, which is Nitori’s representative product.
Previously, E-Mart carried out a renewal of the Hawolgok branch with the goal of ‘occupying customers’ time and creating a space to be with customers.’
We have attracted new tenants (businesses) that are trendy and convenient for in-store shopping customers, while also providing cost-effectiveness.
E-Mart Hawolgok branch reduced the size of the E-mart direct store, which was 2,300 pyeong, by 770 pyeong and compressed it into a 1,530 pyeong store.
The existing tenant area was expanded by 770 pyeong from 800 pyeong to 1,570 pyeong, and new brands such as Nitori, Daiso, and Footmart were introduced and ‘experience-type’ content was strengthened.
Direct grocery stores, which are E-Mart’s strengths, have further diversified their operating products, including expanding premium varieties, and expanded store composition and product display from the customer’s perspective.
Meanwhile, starting with the opening of this first store, Nitori plans to open at least 3 to 4 new stores by April next year.
However, neither E-Mart nor Lotte have any plans for a new Nitori store so far.
An E-Mart official explained, “We are conducting a large-scale renewal of the store into an experiential store,” and added, “The needs of introducing new things to customers and Nitori’s needs of entering the Korean market fit well, so we are making our first debut at E-Mart’s Hawolgok branch.” did.
E-Mart has carried out a total of 12 store renewals as of the third quarter of this year, reflecting customers’ lifestyles.
As a result, the total number of customers in the second and third quarters of this year increased by 5.5% and 5.8%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.