In August this year, we decided to organize an in-depth study tour of Japan's retail industry. The theme this time is: Cross-border and Innovation. Why study Japanese retail? This is because Japan's social structure and consumption habits are closer to China's; Japanese retail companies such as Muji, 7-Eleven, and Aeon have developed well in the Chinese market and can provide many references for domestic retail. Japanese retailers are many years ahead of China in food operations, fresh food preparation, lean management, and thematic merchandising. From the perspective of retail development, today's Japan is tomorrow's China. To this end, we have mobilized various resources to create a study tour of Japan's retail industry that is insightful, in-depth, and provides actionable references.

Highlight 1 Aeon Learn about business format innovation from Aeon. Aeon's AEON STYLE has transformed from a traditional supermarket into a lifestyle-proposal comprehensive supermarket, and was named the 2016 Store of the Year by the authoritative Japanese retail magazine Chain Store Age. During this study tour, senior AEON STYLE executives will lead a tour and share the methods and techniques of their store transformation.

Highlight 2 7-Eleven Learn about the front and back end of convenience stores from 7-Eleven. In recent years, convenience stores have been hot, but few have explored the core technology and operational secrets. We will arrange half a day to study the king of convenience stores—Japan's 7-Eleven, visiting its front-end stores and back-end distribution centers, and listening to its executives share the store operation logic, product development, and supply chain secrets of Japanese convenience stores.

Highlight 3 Tsutaya Books Learn about cross-border innovation from Tsutaya Books. Although called a bookstore, Tsutaya Books is actually an innovative format that combines books, home appliances, audio-visual products, general merchandise, and lifestyle products. Its product combination technique is known as "thematic merchandising." In an era when retail innovation and cross-border are trends, this technique is essential. Tsutaya Books executives will generously share their cross-border management approach.

Highlight 4 Muji Learn about product design and marketing from Muji. Muji perfectly combines design aesthetics with commercial operations. Domestic newcomers like Miniso and NetEase Yanxuan bear its influence. During this study tour, we will visit Muji's largest Life Style store and listen to its executives share Muji's design art.

Highlight 5 Kyoto Yaichi Learn about new fresh food business models from Kyoto Yaichi. Kyoto Yaichi is a fresh food retail store that integrates the entire supply chain from farm cultivation to store sales. It currently has 36 branches nationwide. In the Kyoto city area, it has a food processing plant and a logistics distribution center, and in the Tanba farm, there is an agricultural research institute for agricultural experts and company employees to conduct regular training. During this study tour, Kyoto Yaichi executives will explain the core business model and fresh food operation techniques.

Note: All the above study tour projects will be hosted and explained by the relevant responsible persons.

Highlight 6: Retail experts accompany the entire tour for explanation. Outsiders watch the excitement, insiders watch the craft. For this study tour, we have invited Mr. Lu Taiche, former vice president of Rakuten Group, who is familiar with Japanese and Korean retail, to accompany the entire tour and share his observations and insights on Japanese retail.

Specific Itinerary

Sunday Day 1 Shanghai - Tokyo Gather at Pudong International Airport, pre-departure briefing, take international flight to Tokyo. Upon arrival, airport pickup, introduction of relevant precautions, visit commercial shopping centers in Tokyo city. ■ Aeon Mall Makuhari Shintoshin (1) - Shopping Center Located between the airport and Tokyo city center, opened in December 2013, one of the largest shopping centers in Japan at the time, showcasing the combination of business formats and themes. Commercial area: 128,000m2, a super-large leisure experience shopping center, "adults": "family - gathering three generations for interaction" "sports and home appliances - Japan's largest sports experience facility": skiing, surfing, etc. "pets" ■ Eataly Japan (Mitsukoshi Department Store basement) Reference flight information: Flight date Route Time MU523 / Pudong International Airport - Tokyo Narita Airport 9:10-12:50

Monday Day 2 Tokyo Morning: Take a bus to the business location—Aeon Group's Aeon Style supermarket for visit and exchange. Introduction: Aeon is a famous Japanese retail group and one of the largest department store retail enterprises in Japan and Asia. As a top Japanese retail enterprise, the Aeon Group includes AEON Co., Ltd. and over 100 subsidiaries. Visit and exchange theme: Share AEON Co., Ltd.'s 30 years of retail business experience. Afternoon: Visit Japan's 7-Eleven headquarters, stores, and distribution centers. Visit and exchange theme: 7-Eleven's complete and efficient distribution system and intelligent supply chain construction experience.

Tuesday Day 3 Tokyo Morning: Visit and study MUJI. Visit Japan's largest Life Style Store. MUJI executives share Muji's product design and business techniques. Afternoon: Visit Japanese commercial shopping centers ■ Ginza ■ Ginza Six ■ Tokyo Plaza ■ Itoya Visit Tokyo Skytree 【Tokyo Skytree】's color design is carefully considered to harmonize with the surrounding landscape and the name and design concept "creating a cityscape that transcends time and space: the fusion of traditional Japanese beauty and future design." It features a unique color called "Skytree White," based on the traditional Japanese color of the most elegant "blue-white." It also gathers various Japanese gourmet foods and is a must-visit place.

Wednesday Day 4 Tokyo Futako Tamagawa Rise A new format "Tsutaya Home Appliances" that combines magazines, books, coffee, and home appliances, now a popular gathering spot; furniture-making experience workshop: experience furniture making yourself, DIY furniture; a complex commercial facility developed in conjunction with surrounding residences, office buildings, and large parks. Visit Green Wood Shopping Center

Thursday Day 5 Tokyo - Kyoto Morning: After breakfast, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, about 2 hours 30 minutes. Afternoon: After arriving in Kyoto, visit Kinkaku-ji and Gion, and enjoy the night view. (Actual sightseeing spots are subject to the day's schedule.)

Friday Day 6 Kyoto - Osaka Afternoon: Visit Japan T-SITE (Tsutaya Books) for exchange. Introduction: The world's most beautiful bookstore, renovated from the former Kyoto Kaikan. Afternoon: Go to the business location—Kyoto Yaichi. Introduction: Kyoto Yaichi has five self-operated farms, four of which are located in rural areas across Japan. The farms mainly produce vegetables and fruits and have obtained Japan's GAP certification for agricultural production management. In the Kyoto city area, it has a food processing plant and a logistics distribution center, and in the Tanba farm, there is an agricultural research institute for agricultural experts and company employees to conduct regular training. After that: Drive to Osaka, about 1 hour, check into hotel.

Saturday Day 7 Osaka - Shanghai All day: After breakfast at the hotel, visit Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi. After lunch, go to the airport, take the flight back to China, and end the study tour! (Actual sightseeing spots are subject to the day's schedule.) 【Osaka Castle Park】 is Osaka's most famous tourist attraction and a symbol of Osaka. It includes thirteen buildings designated as important cultural properties by the Japanese government. Especially famous are its magnificent castle gates and the tower along the moat. In the center of Osaka Castle Park stands the main tower, Tenshukaku, which is majestic, copper-plated and gold-plated, and very spectacular. Climbing the five-story, eight-tier Tenshukaku, you can overlook the entire Osaka city. Osaka 【Shinsaibashi】 is located in Chuo-ku, Osaka, and is Osaka's largest shopping district. Centered on Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street, from Nagahori-dori in the north to Dotonbori in the south, it gathers many boutique shops, specialty stores, restaurants, and large shopping centers, bustling with citizens and tourists from morning to night. While shopping, tasting authentic Osaka cuisine is also a great pleasure; you can eat your fill of okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, takoyaki, ramen, and other Japanese dishes. Reference flight information: Flight date Route Time MU748 / Kansai International Airport - Pudong International Airport 16:50-18:20

Warm Reminders

  1. Registration process: Fill in the registration form—send it back—pay the study tour fee (or deposit)—prepare visa materials (prepare passport in advance)—submit visa materials (pay the full amount)—receive confirmation letter—depart (if the visa is not successfully processed, the visa fee will be deducted).
  2. Study tour fee: 28,000 RMB per person. The fee includes all expenses for meals, accommodation, transportation, study, visits, and sightseeing at a unified standard during the entire trip (Note: all personal expenses are not included. If an invoice is required, please pay a 3% tax point).
  3. The fee does not include round-trip airfare between China and Japan. Airfare is at airline prices, with a reference value of 3,500-4,000 RMB per person. The earlier you book, the cheaper the price. If you need business class or first class, please specify in advance.
  4. After registration, if you cannot travel due to personal reasons, the visa fee, airfare, and some incurred expenses will be deducted. If you change the itinerary due to personal reasons, the related expenses must be borne by yourself.
  5. If you need a single room abroad, an additional single room fee of 4,500-6,000 RMB will be charged. The specific fee is based on actual costs, with overpayment refunded and underpayment supplemented.
  6. In special circumstances, the organizer has the right to make reasonable adjustments based on the actual situation to ensure the study tour effect as much as possible. Please understand and cooperate! Visa materials should be submitted to the organizer before July 20.
  7. Registration deadline: July 31, 2017.

Registration Method Scan the QR code of the editor to register: (Add note: Japan) Or long press and click "Read Original" to register -END-