What: the Japanese retailer hopes for a USD 55 million turnover by 2026

Why is it important: it’s an attempt to shift from traditional inventory-heavy business model

Japanese department store operator J. Front Retailing will launch a new subscription-based rental fashion service as it tries to shift from its traditional inventory-heavy business model, Nikkei has learned.

The new service, the first by a major Japanese retailer, will allow customers to rent up to three high-end women’s clothing items from foreign and domestic labels for a monthly fee of JPY 11 000 (USD 103).

J. Front Retailing hopes to have 30 000 customers and sales of JPY 5.5 billion (USD 50 million) to JPY 6 billion (USD 55 million) within five years. The subscription service will be handled by J. Front Retailing’s subsidiary, Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores.

It will initially offer about 50 domestic and foreign brands, including popular labels like Marni of Italy and France’s See By Chloe. The service will focus on upscale brands that are popular in department stores.

Japanese Retailer J. Front To Start Fashion Subscription Service