Black Friday Sales Heating in Japan as Consumers Hunt Bargains

Tokyo, Nov. 25 (Jiji Press)–U.S.-originated Black Friday sales campaigns are heating up in Japan, with retailers offering discounts ahead of the main event on Friday. Supermarkets and other retailers are waging the campaigns in hopes of attracting consumers, who have turned thrifty amid persistent inflation. Supermarket operator Ito-Yokado Co. is offering fresh foods and other items at 96 yen and 960 yen, both before tax. Using the figure “96,” which can be read in Japanese as “kuro,” meaning “black,” the Tokyo-based company gives a playful nod to Black Friday sales. Ito-Yokado ran what it called the Red Price Day campaign for three days last week as a prelude to the main sale, discounting red-packaged milk, ketchup and some other products. The company is also collaborating with global streaming giant Netflix Inc. to sell snacks and other items as movie companions, targeting younger shoppers. Aeon Retail Co. launched a sale on about 2,000 items from Thursday. The number of products, including suits and futon bedding, offered at half price increased 2.5 times from last year. Amazon Japan, under the wing of U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc., began a sale last week covering more than three million items including daily necessities and food products. The Japanese arm is also offering experiential bundles that pair camping gear with vouchers for campgrounds. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]