Development of Attractive New Products and Expansion of New Businesses

「Among the climate-change-related products for which we have strengthened product development and expanded the range of items in recent years, warm-use goods such as USB eco hand warmers and blankets performed well for the winter season.」

「Research and development expenses during the consolidated fiscal year amounted to ¥38.074 million. The details of the research and its results by product category are as follows. Products launched for sale as a result of this research were the Slim Thermal Stainless Steel Bottle, Canvas Holiday Square Tote with Dividing Pocket, Three-Color plus One-Color Ballpoint Pen (Recycled ABS), Acrylic Key Holder, Acrylic Stand Pouch and Ultra-Light Slim Light-Blocking Folding Umbrella.」

「We also developed a new eco-bag made from ocean-bound plastic and are strengthening sales following its exhibition at trade shows.」

「Research and development expenses during the consolidated fiscal year amounted to ¥36.994 million. The details of the research and its results by product category are as follows. Products launched for sale as a result of this research were the Thick Cotton Frill Drawstring Pouch, Malutto Thermal Stainless Steel Mug, Lapel Ballpoint Pen (Recycled ABS), Cooling Plate USB Handheld Fan, Simple Light-Blocking Folding Umbrella and Full-Surface-Printable Mobile Charger.」

「Because these merchandise products face increasingly diverse demands and require high quality, we responded to customer-company needs by launching products in new categories and providing products with vivid full-color printing following the installation of new equipment at our domestic in-house factory.」

「To raise awareness of products in new categories, we exhibited a wide range of picture-style towels, acrylic products and other items at trade shows, receiving favorable feedback from customer companies, including end users and distributors.」

「The ethical brand MOTTERU performed well in terms of sales as a result of being selected, as in the previous fiscal year, for the Ministry of the Environment’s “Choose! 3R Campaign 2022,” enriching its color variations by incorporating gender-neutral colors, expanding product categories to include cutlery, umbrellas and handkerchiefs, and beginning the development and sale of collaborative products with popular characters and products combining functionality and design.」

「We advanced the expansion and provision of upcycled products, which add value through ideas and design to discarded resources and transform them into higher-value products.」

「We continued and expanded the provision of products made from environmentally friendly materials, including organic cotton, recycled materials, biomass plastics and natural materials.」

「Research and development expenses during the consolidated fiscal year amounted to ¥44.893 million. The details of the research and its results by product category are as follows. Products launched for sale as a result of this research were the Fairtrade Cotton Canvas Tote, Recycled Nonwoven Bag, Malutto Thermal Stainless Steel Bottle and Cation-Dyed Blanket.」

「As new products, we expanded the lineup of bags made from Fairtrade-certified cotton and organic cotton and bamboo-fiber goods, and expanded the color range by newly adding gender-neutral colors.」

「We worked to develop new products addressing “product demand arising from the promotion of the SDGs,” including bags made from Fairtrade-certified cotton and organic cotton and bamboo-fiber goods, and strengthened our participation in trade shows and sales activities.」

「Against this backdrop, the Group identified “product demand arising from the promotion of the SDGs” and “pent-up demand emerging during and after COVID-19” as key strategies for the fiscal year, and strengthened new product development by promptly capturing changes in the social environment and consumer trends.」

「Research and development expenses during the consolidated fiscal year amounted to ¥34.825 million. The details of the research and its results by product category are as follows. Products launched for sale as a result of this research included the Metal Key Holder with Mirror, Mist Handheld Fan, Disaster Prevention and Hygiene 6-Piece Set, Disaster Prevention Emergency 7-Piece Set and Portable Power Supply 120W.」

「As new products, we launched eco-bags made from recycled fabric, thermal bottles and clear bottles, functionality-focused handkerchiefs and towels, and folding umbrellas as alternatives to disposable vinyl umbrellas. Under the brand principles of “not using disposable products” and “using products repeatedly,” we worked to expand products that contribute to the environment.」

「In addition to the Kururito Daily Bag (Recycled Cotton), an eco-bag made from recycled fabric, we launched products in categories beyond eco-bags, including thermal bottles, clear bottles, the functionality-focused Pokesuku Handkerchief, designed as an essential item during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ITSUMO Slim Bottle Folding Umbrella, an alternative to disposable vinyl umbrellas. Under the brand principles of “not using disposable products” and “using products repeatedly,” we worked to expand products that contribute to the environment.」

「The Group expanded environmentally beneficial products under its brand principles of “not using disposable products” and “reusability,” including new products such as the “Kururito Daily Bag (Recycled Cotton)” made from recycled-fabric material, as well as bottles such as thermo bottles and clear bottles launched as new categories beyond eco-bags.」

「Research and development expenses incurred during the fiscal year were ¥27.178 million. The details of the R&D activities and results by general merchandise product category are as follows. Products that reached the sales-launch stage as R&D results included the “Standing Torch Light with Radio,” “Mobile Charger with LED Light,” “Handheld USB Fan,” “Kururito Cooler Bag,” “Pocket Thermo Bottle,” “Dolomite Absorbent Coaster,” “Cool-Touch Cooling Mask,” “Non-Contact Thermometer” and “Personal Humidifier, Wood-Grain Clear-Bottle Type.”」

「Beginning in April, the Group successively launched “Disinfecting Wet Tissues,” “Disinfecting Alcohol Spray,” “Face Shields,” “Basic Protective Clothing” and “Non-Contact Thermometers” as virus-infection prevention products. It also focused on developing “Cool-Touch Cooling Masks,” designed to address both infection prevention and heatstroke prevention ahead of summer.」

「In travel-related products, the Group expanded its lineup by launching new products from the “Premium Travel Gear Series” and “Ultimate Travel Gear Series” offered by its original brand “gowell,” as well as from “Pokémon Travel,” featuring Pokémon characters. In petwear and related products, it strengthened sales of new products from the UK-origin lifestyle brand “LAURA ASHLEY (※)” and worked to expand related items such as collars, leads and harnesses.」

「The ethical brand “MOTTERU” also launched the new “Pocket Square Bag” in January 2020. Its unprecedented compactness, like that of a pocket square, was highly regarded, and it won the 2019 Good Design Award.」

「The Group also substantially revamped its original eco-bag brand “MOTTERU” and began selling compact eco-bags suited to a variety of lifestyle settings.」

「The Group also decided to launch “COOLBLACK,” a new cartridge-replaceable VAPE product that can be enjoyed easily even by first-time users.」

「In travel merchandise, the Group began selling new products from the “Premium Travel Gear Series,” designed to enhance comfort during travel as an experience of the “extraordinary” and “special,” as well as new “Pokémon Travel” products featuring Pokémon characters.」

「Research and development expenses incurred during the fiscal year were ¥24.349 million. The details of the R&D activities and results by general merchandise product category are as follows. Products that reached the sales-launch stage as R&D results included the “USB Cable Spinner,” “Wireless Card Speaker,” “Zalatto Thermo Bottle,” “Bamboo Tumbler” and other products.」

「In travel merchandise, the Group added the new “Ultimate Travel Gear Series,” focused on convenience during travel, and began offering two series: the existing “Premium Travel Gear Series,” focused on comfort during travel, and the new series.」

「In petwear merchandise, the Group worked to expand the number of stores carrying its products and prepared to launch dog accessories such as collars, leads and harnesses. In travel merchandise, it newly entered into a licensing agreement for “Where’s Wally!”, loved worldwide by children and adults alike.」

「In travel merchandise, the Group launched the new “Premium Travel Gear Series,” focused on functionality, and began selling 3 products: an eye mask, earplugs and a mini cushion.」

「Research and development expenses incurred during the fiscal year were ¥21.209 million. The details of the R&D activities and results by general merchandise product category are as follows. Products that reached the sales-launch stage as R&D results included the “AC Cable Holder Set,” “Denim Multi-Tool Pouch,” “Separate Drink Bottle,” “Spill-Proof Thermo Tumbler,” “Travel Hand-Washing Gel” and “Travel Tissue Set.”」

「In petwear products, the Group focused on product development ahead of the launch of new autumn/winter products, while in travel merchandise it began selling new products featuring characters from “Pokémon.”」

「Against this backdrop, the Group has adopted “growth strategy, efficiency improvement strategy and strengthening the management platform” as its basic policies and has pursued the development of attractive new products, expansion of new businesses and reductions in manufacturing costs.」

「In the original general merchandise business, eco-bags, tumblers and bottles remained solid, while mobile products performed well. In travel merchandise, the Group began selling new products, expanded licensed products from a new apparel brand in petwear, and focused on securing OEM orders for its private brand.」

「With environmentally responsible manufacturing as its basic policy, the Group has promoted the development of products using natural materials and reusable products, while working to provide highly designed products in a timely manner in line with social and customer needs. Research and development expenses were ¥16.776 million, and products launched for sale included the “Acrylic Perpetual Calendar,” “Mobile Charger,” “Heavyweight Cotton Marche Bag,” “Thermo Bottle,” “Matte Square Mirror” and “Slide Acrylic Mirror.”」

「The Group pursued the development of attractive new products, expansion of new businesses and reductions in manufacturing costs.」