Japanese fashion is known for its creativity, its luxury and buzzing youth vibe. Its multi-storey malls, exciting shopping districts, avant garde sensibility, technically sophisticated textiles sector, and fanatically fashionable consumers make it one of the most interesting fashion sectors in the world.
But it faces challenges with a deep recession coming on top of years of retail decline, and a period of transformation as department stores, supermarkets and independent stores face up to the new economic climate and the need to compete with nimble, trend-right foreign brands.
The WGSN Japan Fashion Report 2009 aims to make sense of developments in Japan as it works to emerge from recession and re-establish itself as a source of directional international fashion. The report provides an in-depth look at the Japanese fashion industry from a unique WGSN perspective. It builds on the experiences and expectations of more than 120 Japanese fashion professionals – designers, buyers and marketers – combined with industry expert interviews and the knowledge of WGSN's 200-strong team of design, sourcing and retail experts.
What does it tell you?
What you need to know about the Japanese fashion industry today
Design. Why has Japan’s status as a fashion leader slipped in recent years? How do designers in Japan work? What pressures are they under? And what are their priorities for 2009?
Sourcing. China is Japan’s sourcing location of choice? Will it stay so in the future? Is local manufacturing still viable? And how do Japan’s highly technical textiles companies plan to stay ahead of the pack?
Retail. Who are the key players in Japanese fashion retail? What are their strategies for facing the recession? Will cash-strapped consumers still buy fashion? Will supermarkets be able to compete in apparel with price-conscious chains? Are department stores set for recovery? And is railway station retailing the future for Japan?
Government. Can government policy give the Japanese industry what it needs? What support are the government and other institutions offering Japanese fashion? And can Japan Fashion Week make the leap to compete on the world stage?
Available Reports (2009)
Who should buy the Japan report?
CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, Strategy Directors, Business Analysts, Retail MDs, marketers, brand and retail senior managers, suppliers to the Japanese fashion retail sector and investors, exporters looking to launch in Japan.