DISCUSSION TOPIC
The New Japanese Consumer
November 18, 2011
All:
“After decades of behaving differently, Japanese consumers suddenly look a lot like their counterparts in Europe and the United States. Celebrated for their willingness to pay for quality and convenience and usually uninterested in cheaper products, Japanese consumers are now flocking to discount and online retailers. Sales of relatively affordable private-label foods have increased dramatically, and many consumers, despite small living spaces, are buying in bulk. Instead of eating out, people are entertaining at home. Workers are even packing their own lunches, sparking the nickname bento-danshi, or “boxlunch man.””
The preceding quote is from the latest “DFS Learning e-Blast” article, “The New Japanese Consumer”, by Brian Salsberg.
In this 2nd quarter 2010 article from the McKinsey Quarterly, the author provides an interesting overview of the Japanese consumer’s changing domestic purchasing behaviors.
In previous e-Blast articles we’ve explored the changing dynamics of consumers in Korea and China. Today, learn what factors are changing the way the Japanese consumer thinks about shopping and brands, and how this impacts their shopping behaviors. By better understanding what drives today’s Japanese shopper, we can better serve our #2 customer nationality as they visit our locations throughout the world.
More from the article:
“This fundamental shift in the attitudes and behavior of Japanese consumers seems likely to persist, irrespective of any economic recovery. That’s because the change stems not just from the recent downturn but also from deep-seated factors ranging from the digital revolution to the emergence of a less materialistic younger generation.”
Read the short article to learn more!
Mike Osorio, your Dare to be Contagious™ strategist
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