What: Matsuya Ginza launches Japan's first comprehensive digital platform for international luxury shoppers, featuring integrated tax refund and click-and-collect services.

Why it is important: The platform's launch demonstrates how traditional department stores can successfully merge heritage with innovation, addressing both international and domestic shoppers' evolving needs while maintaining premium service standards.

Matsuya, the historic Japanese department store, has unveiled a groundbreaking digital platform that transforms the luxury shopping experience for international visitors. The platform, matsuyaginza.com, integrates sophisticated features including tax refund services and click-and-collect options, making it the first Japanese department store to offer such comprehensive digital services to global customers. The initiative showcases an impressive brand portfolio including Miu Miu, Prada, Roger Vivier, Aesop, and Tom Ford Beauty, allowing customers to browse and reserve products before visiting the store.Representative director Takehiko Furuya emphasises that the platform aims to seamlessly blend Matsuya Ginza's renowned in-store luxury experience with digital convenience. The service enables international customers to streamline their shopping journey by combining product collection and tax refunds at a dedicated fourth-floor counter. The platform also incorporates practical features such as digital maps, personalised itineraries, and multilingual event notifications, enhancing the overall shopping experience for visitors.

IADS Notes: Matsuya's launch of its digital platform in December 2024 aligns with a broader transformation in Japanese department stores' strategies throughout the year. The initiative follows a remarkable period for the sector, as evidenced by October 2024's record-breaking tax-free sales of JPY 50.8 billion . This digital evolution mirrors similar moves by other major retailers, such as Seibu Ikebukuro's expansion of luxury spaces and enhanced digital capabilities in September 2024 . The focus on integrating tax refund services and click-and-collect options specifically addresses the surge in tourist spending, which has driven unprecedented duty-free sales since March 2024. Matsuya's approach of balancing traditional service excellence with digital innovation exemplifies how Japanese department stores are successfully modernising while maintaining their cultural heritage, creating seamless experiences that serve both domestic and international customers.

Matsuya’s director Takehiko Furuya on the department store’s digital launch