Many Japanese Retailers Begin Direct Importing to Satisfy Demand for Foreign Consumer Goods

Imported consumer goods are becoming a more important part of the Japanese retail business, and the conventional pattern of import agent and designated wholesaler is giving way to direct imports. Large-volume retailers are establishing overseas purchasing offices and building profitable business rel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business America 1981-11, Vol.4 (23), p.13
Main Author: Miyakawa, T Arthur
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Consumer goods
Consumers
Imports
Purchasing
Retail stores
Retailing
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Imported consumer goods are becoming a more important part of the Japanese retail business, and the conventional pattern of import agent and designated wholesaler is giving way to direct imports. Large-volume retailers are establishing overseas purchasing offices and building profitable business relationships with foreign wholesalers and manufacturers, while smaller retailers are forming joint-purchasing/import organizations. It is likely that the consumers' voice is becoming a more effective and important element in molding the purchasing habits of the retail merchants. If so, the retailers' increasing focus on direct imports as a quicker, better, and less expensive technique for meeting customer demands for overseas products is a logical corollary. For US suppliers to gain a larger share of the import market, they must remember that the Japanese consumers want quality, value, and convenience in the products they purchase.
ISSN:0190-6275