Store differentiation through stronger discounted-product offerings

「Iwaoka flagship store is working to create Japan's top footwear department by units sold, while each branch is working to become the dominant leading store in its area. In addition to its core footwear business, the company will further strengthen differentiation from other stores by creating appealing sales areas, including through sourcing special-price products and developing one of the largest confectionery sections in the region.」

「The company also focused on sourcing special-price products, including through large-scale business fairs.」

「As part of measures to strengthen the footwear business, the company actively expanded displays of its original products across all stores, introduced new men's and women's footwear brands, and focused on sourcing special-price products.」

「We focused on procuring special-price products that emphasize the distinctive character of 「ヒラキ」. As a result, footwear sales exceeded the same period of the previous year, together with higher revenue from 10 footwear specialty stores.」

「Accordingly, we will actively expand the product range by holding major business meetings focused on special-price merchandise and developing new business partners.」

「During the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to strengthening footwear sales by expanding outdoor sneakers and using high-volume displays for original products, we strengthened procurement of specially priced apparel, miscellaneous goods and food products to attract more customers.」

「In the store-based retail business, we worked to strengthen footwear sales centered on attracting customers with special prices on branded products and expanding sales of original products, as well as to increase customer traffic rooted in the local community through initiatives such as the Fresh Produce Mega Sale held in collaboration with local vegetable farmers and a local agricultural high school.」

「In the store-based retail business, we worked to strengthen footwear sales centered on special-price sales of branded sneakers, based on expanding sales of internally developed products, and to increase customer traffic through community-based operations, including regularly holding the Fresh Produce Mega Sale and collaborating with local vegetable farmers.」

「Traveling sales were held at 55 locations over a cumulative 530 days as part of market-area research for opening footwear specialty stores, and we worked to expand sales of internally developed products before opening our second footwear specialty store, 「ヒラキ　イズミヤ淡路店」, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, in February.」

「In addition, traveling sales were held at 44 locations over a cumulative 330 days as part of market-area research for opening footwear specialty stores, and we also worked to expand sales of internally developed products.」

「In addition, 28 outside events were held over a cumulative 244 days to expand sales of internally developed products and raise awareness of the Company.」

「In our store network, which has developed as a pioneer of variety discount stores, we will thoroughly pursue procurement of special-price products, an area in which we have traditionally excelled, implement an ambitious product strategy, and further strengthen differentiation from competing stores. Using special-price products as a competitive tool, we will also develop a sales strategy that further increases synergies among business divisions through not only the discount business but also the mail-order and wholesale businesses.」

「In addition to strengthening procurement of special-price merchandise, we sought to increase customer traffic by expanding the product range and selling low-priced products, including through an event called the “Fresh Produce Mega Sale.” We also held long- and short-term traveling sales 41 times in total and worked to expand sales of footwear and private-label products.」

「To provide customers with “a sense of excitement in everyday shopping,” we strengthened procurement of special-price merchandise by holding 2 major business meetings and sought to expand the product range and sell low-priced products. We also continued long- and short-term traveling sales and worked to expand sales of footwear and private-label products, but sales were sluggish as sales of our core footwear products struggled partly due to weather conditions.」

「To provide customers with “a sense of excitement in everyday shopping,” we expanded the product range and emphasized low prices through the procurement of special-price merchandise, and energetically conducted traveling sales over a cumulative 189 days. However, partly due to weather conditions, sales of summer footwear and apparel were difficult.」

「In addition to measures to increase customer traffic and the number of items purchased per customer and to raise private-label product sales, we energetically conducted traveling sales at 40 locations, incorporating long-term events. Although footwear, apparel and private-label product sales increased, the decline in sales of food and daily necessities, where competition is intense, could not be offset, and sales did not reach the previous fiscal year’s level.」

「In the discount business, events aimed at increasing the number of items purchased per customer and sales of private-label products, as well as traveling sales incorporating long-term events, were continued. As a result, footwear and private-label product sales increased, but the decline in sales of food and daily necessities, where competition is intense, prevented sales from reaching the previous year’s level.」

「In the discount business, we continued to hold events aimed at increasing customer traffic and the number of items purchased per customer and raising the sales mix of private-label products, as well as traveling sales incorporating long-term events, but struggled to secure sales, particularly in daily necessities and household goods, partly due to new store openings by competitors.」

「In the discount business, we energetically worked to increase customer traffic and the number of items purchased per customer, expand sales of private-label products through events, and continue traveling sales incorporating long-term events.」

「To increase customer traffic, we held a 10th-anniversary listing commemorative sale, promoted monthly bargain products through flyers under the name “This Month’s Good Deals 50,” and strengthened procurement of bargain products through 4 business meetings held with a cumulative total of approximately 330 companies. In addition, to expand sales of private-label footwear products, we opened a footwear specialty store in October 2016 and held 51 outside events over a cumulative 450 days at home improvement centers and supermarkets, energetically developing the business to expand sales of private-label footwear products.」

「In the discount business, we actively expanded operations to increase customer visits, including an anniversary sale marking 10 years since the company's listing, the opening of a specialty footwear store focused on private-label products, and 38 external events, while working to increase the sales mix of private-label products. However, sales fell to ¥6,195 million, down 2.0% year on year.」

「In the discount business, we energetically held a 10th-anniversary listing commemorative sale and 27 outside events to increase customer traffic, but sales were ¥4,182 million, down 1.8% year on year.」

「In the discount business, although we actively held a sale commemorating the 10th anniversary of our listing and organized long-term outside events, sales were ¥2,133 million, down 1.6% year on year.」

「In the discount business, we will strongly promote the procurement of special-price products. In our store network, which has developed as a pioneer of variety discount stores, we will further strengthen our procurement of special-price products, an area in which we have traditionally excelled, pursue an ambitious product strategy, and further enhance differentiation from competing stores.」