- Demand for bags is on the increase. One of the reasons for this is that even men use small sized bags when they commute. Both Japanese and imported products are popular.
- As over 20 million Japanese go overseas each year, demand for suitcases is increasing. SAMSONITE, have a licensing contract with ACE Co., Ltd., has a large share of this market.
- For fiscal year 1994, the import statistics of bags are as below;
#( ) a comparison to the preceding year. Quantity: 215,000,000 PCS (132.5%)
Amount: Approx. 1,322,000,000 US$ (118.4%)
Average unit price: Approx. 6.13 US$ (89%)
As you can see from the above, the quantity and the amount are increasing. The average unit price,
however, has shown a downtrend of about 10%.
[Imports of bags by country]
#( ) a comparison to the preceding year;
- from China
Quantity: 134,000,000 PCS (196.6%)
Amount: Approx. 412,000,000 US$ (141.6%)
Average unit price: Approx. 3.07 US$ (83.5%)
- from Korea
Quantity: 39,260,000 PCS (80.9%)
Amount: Approx. 268,000,000 US$ (88.1%)
Average unit price: Approx. 6.83 US$ (108.9%)
- from Italy
Quantity: 2,110,000 PCS (158.4%)
Amount: Approx. 190,000,000 US$ (142.6%)
Average unit price: Approx. 89.76 US$ (90%)
- from France
Quantity: 1,140,000 PCS (134.8%)
Amount: Approx. 134,000,000 US$ (78.6%)
Chinese Taiwan, U.S.A., Germany, and Thailand are succeding. (by MITI's Imported Goods Statistics)
- As you can see from this data, imports of less expensive bags are from the U.S.A. and high grade bags are mainly from Europe, including France, Italy and Germany. The Japanese market, however, is under-going price slashing, resulting in import bags from Europe becoming cheaper by about 10%.
- Imported bags are largely traveling bags, vanity cases, and backpacks made of cloth or PVC.
- China, Korea, Chinese Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia rank among the top 10 countries that export bags to Japan. In particular, imports from Vietnam have increased quantity and amount by 2.5 times the previous year's amount.
- Japanese companies have lately been following one of two trends. One group is actively focusing on quality products that fetch a high price, while the other continues to engage in a competitive price war, placing importance on inexpensive goods from overseas.
- Rucksacks were very popular amoung ladies this past spring, however, they will go out of vogue before long. Pochettes and waist pouches will be in fashion instead.
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