マーキュリアHD is investing in スマートテクノロジーズ＆リソーシーズ, a major domestic provider of tax-free shopping procedure support. In anticipation of the tax-free shopping system revision scheduled for November 2026, it will strengthen the digital infrastructure supporting the inbound tourism market.
マーキュリアホールディングス has invested in the holding company of スマートテクノロジーズ＆リソーシーズ, which provides a system supporting tax-free shopping procedures. The investment is intended to accelerate the development of new tax-free shopping infrastructure and create opportunities in the inbound tourism market.
The government plans to shift all tax-free shopping to a refund-based system from 1 November 2026, making the introduction of systems for processing refunds an urgent priority. The number of visitors to Japan has reached record highs in recent years, while domestic consumption has also expanded.
スマートテクノロジーズ offers SmartDetax, which uses AI, and JPrefund, a refund-support service, and has a track record of implementation at more than 2,500 retail businesses. It has completed development of systems compatible with the new regime, and early adoption is already under way.
伊藤忠商事, which entered into a business alliance in January 2026, is also participating in the investment. In cooperation with ベルシステム24, the parties will strengthen operational support for member stores. Going forward, they aim to develop value-added services, including data marketing using traveller data.