- The perishable foods market, which has long supported the food distribution sector here, has come to a turning point. An increasing number of supermarkets and food service businesses are procuring vegetables and fishery products directly from producers without going through the market. This "by-passing" of the market has been accelerated by retailers' marketing strategies - labels showing the place of production and cultivation method to create a "brand" image - and e-commerce for food materials by major national restaurant chains.
- A company called Five Fox plans to start a new business model called "Three Minutes Happiness" to sell sundries (stationery, body care products, health and beauty supplies <cosmetics>, gardening supplies and fashion accessories) at five different price categories 100, 300, 500, 700 and 1,000 yen.
- While most of the hundred-yen shops deal in sundries, there is one company who is performing well by offering a broader range of goods, including clothing, shoes, interior furnishings, bedding and jewelry, at their "Miracle 1,000" shops. The company plans to open a total of 20 of those shops in the Metropolitan area. Because they don't put price tags or distribute fliers, they can offer an item for 1,000 yen that retails for 1,980 yen at supermarkets.
- An R&D-oriented textile company has developed a thread-like reflective material that glows white in automobile lights. By weaving it into fabrics in a grid pattern, the body is silhouetted at night, making it ideal for protecting pedestrians.
- Clothing and bedding that use corn fibers are attracting popularity. Because the corn-starch-based material is biodegradable, absorbs moisture, and is light and elastic, it is friendly to both babies and the global environment.
- A well-known men's suit manufacturer has started offering tailor-made suits via the Internet. They send free fabric swatches for consumers to choose the material and design and place an order. The suit is delivered in two weeks. Alterations are free, with no limit on the number of times.
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