Improving the gross profit margin through improvements in sales methods

「During the fiscal year, as customers’ purchasing behavior continued to shift online, we invested actively in listing advertising (Note 1), strengthened content such as memorial-care articles on our customer website, and implemented SEO measures (Note 2). By continuing efficient sales-promotion activities, including email follow-ups using marketing automation tools (Note 3), we succeeded in acquiring repeat customers.」

「We will continue conducting experiments and verification, centered on web advertising and combined with TV commercials and newspaper inserts, to achieve the greatest possible effect.」

「As customers' values and lifestyles continue to change, we will continue developing new products and services and reviewing our product lineup across all business areas related to memorial services.」

「Over the past several years, we have sought to reform our sales methods by focusing on listening carefully and empathetically to customers who visit our stores, particularly those who have lost a loved one, and making the best proposals for them. As a result, we have been able to contain the decline in average selling prices to a certain extent.」

「For unit sales, we will develop new products and launch products suited to regional characteristics to address changing customer needs. As purchased products are expected to become smaller and simpler, we will pursue product development suited to modern living spaces and customer values, in addition to reforming our sales methods, to improve average selling prices.」

「With regard to sales volume, we will develop new products and launch products suited to regional characteristics in response to changes in customers, while also carrying out planned product clearance. As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces and customers' values, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「For unit sales, we will develop and launch new products to address changing customer needs while conducting planned product clearances. As purchased products are expected to become smaller and simpler, we will pursue product development suited to modern living spaces and customer values, in addition to reforming our sales methods, to improve average selling prices.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces and customers' values, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces and customers' values, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces and customers' values, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces and customers' values, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As the trend toward smaller and simpler products purchased by customers is expected to intensify, we will promote product development suited to today's living spaces, in addition to reforming our sales methods.」

「As part of its sales-method reform, we introduced the T-Point service and discontinued the former membership card in the previous fiscal year, and also reviewed sales methods at our stores. Going forward, we will continue striving to sell at fair and equitable prices.」

「Although selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to active store investments and higher personnel expenses, among other factors, improvements to the sales methods and the resulting increase in the gross profit margin brought operating income to ¥509 million, up 83.9% year on year, ordinary income to ¥499 million, up 54.0%, and net income for the quarter to ¥364 million, up 335.6%, partly due to a gain on the reversal of asset retirement obligations.」

「Although selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to proactive store investments and sales-promotion initiatives, operating income increased 29.2% year on year to ¥478 million and ordinary income increased 48.1% to ¥461 million, as improvements in sales methods led to a higher gross margin. Quarterly net income was ¥370 million, up 98.5% year on year, partly due to a gain on the reversal of asset retirement obligations.」