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Find the latest insights, innovations, and trends. From various news sources, we pick and summarize the most important insights, innovations, trends, and news from hundreds of reports each week in Japan.
Cocoa with functional claims increase such as GABA for quality sleep or gut healthy
Penetration of Functional Labeling into Cocoa is increasing. New concept to increase category sales growth. In 2022, the sales of functional food instant cocoa surged more than ninefold from the previous year, reaching 370 million yen. By 2023, this figure had more than doubled again, hitting...
Nisshin Oillio to raise olive oil by up to 80% from May 2024
Fourth time price increase since October 2023, alternative oils such as blend oil, rice oil will get more attention. Nisshin OilliO Group has announced a price increase for a total of 30 olive oil products, both for household and professional use, starting with the May delivery. The sales price...
Introducing Asahi Super Dry Eco Pack – Revolutionizing Paper Consumption”
77% Reduction in Paper Area Achieved with 6-Pack of 350ml Cans Asahi Group is working on lightweighting paper materials used for 6-can packs of its main brand, such as "Asahi Super Dry." In October 2021, they conducted a test sale of "Asahi Super Dry Eco Pack," which uses the first-of-its-kind...
Starting in 5 seconds,” the “My Bottle Life” series supports your “Eco & Smart Life” with powdered drinks exclusively for My Bottle. Introducing 6 new varieties of the “Blendy® My Bottle Stick” series!
Ajinomoto AGF Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Ajinomoto AGF) will launch six varieties of the "Blendy® My Bottle Stick" series nationwide starting from March 1, 2024 (Friday). Product Features: The "Blendy® My Bottle Stick" series is a stick-type powdered drink exclusively designed for My...
Sapporo Beer’s New Strategy: No High-Alcohol Chu-Hi in Upcoming Releases, Aligning with Health-Conscious Trends
The trend of health consciousness regarding alcohol, the desire to drive after a meal, and the preference for staying sober for activities like studying or reading continues, leading to a rise in the popularity of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol choices. Sapporo Beer has announced its policy not to...
The food trend of rice and rice ball in Japan is leaning towards petit luxury
The Rising Trend of Premium Onigiri in Japan: A Glimpse into High-Quality Rice and Innovative Ingredients - A Key to Success Amidst Declining Rice Consumption, Targeting the Younger Generation. In Japan, a notable trend in the food industry is the dominance of processed products utilizing rice....
Seven-Eleven’s new business format, “SIP Store”
Assortment of Fresh and frozen food is comparable to supermarkets. Behind this new format launch, there are the increasing trends of 'cooking retirement' and the 'time-saving/effortless for cooking ' generation of dual-income households." On February 29th, Seven & i Holdings unveiled a new...
FamilyMart Releases Sushi Rolls Using ‘Vegeat®,’ Made from Non-Standard Vegetables
FamilyMart, headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and led by President and CEO Kensuke Hosomi, will launch two sushi rolls using "Vegeat®," made from non-standard vegetables, as part of their ongoing commitment to one of their five key themes: "Safe and Secure Food, Environmentally Friendly."...
AEON’s Vision for the Future: Exploring Integration of Tsuruha and Welcia to Create a 2 Trillion Yen Powerhouse in the Drugstore Industry
Aeon is reportedly considering the integration of Tsuruha Holdings and Welcia Holdings, potentially giving rise to a 2 trillion yen-scale drugstore powerhouse. As Aeon serves as the parent company of Welcia and is in the final stages of negotiations for acquiring shares from the investment fund...
After Valentine’s Day Chocolate Event
Kuradashi, an online shopping site that operates by selling discounted food items nearing their expiration date, has initiated an event utilizing Valentine's Day chocolates starting from the 15th. In a temporary store established on the basement floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu (Tokyo, Chuo), they are...
Alcoholic Cans Concept innovation ; Suntory’s approach aiming to Spark Interest Among Younger Consumers
Boldly Named: Suntory's Innovative Approach to Attracting Youth Amidst 'Alcohol Abstinence' Trend "The One Tanaka Always Drinks First:" "The Beverage That Makes You Say 'Wait, This is Good'" "Instantly, a Drink that Makes You Start Complimenting Others" "The Liquor that Tasted Amazing During a...
AEON National Brand Discount Initiative: Savings on Daily Necessities and Frozen Foods from Feb 20-29
Aeon Group Announces Nationwide Discounts on Popular Brands for Daily Necessities and Frozen Foods from Feb 20-29 to support customers. The Aeon Group will be implementing price reductions on approximately 20 National Brand items, including daily necessities and frozen foods, from February 20 to...
Supermarkets See Increase in Special Sales – Beer, Cooking Oil… Food Items Account for 30%
Rise of Discounts: Supermarkets React to Consumer Thrift with Increased Sales Promotions. Special sales of food items have been increasing at supermarkets. In January, the proportion of special sales in terms of sales quantity among 156 major food items exceeded that of the same month of the...
Up cycle Cabbage innovation idea : Cabbage powder for CURRY
Mimatsu Food Co., Ltd., based in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, specializes in the manufacturing and sales of Chinese dim sum. In collaboration with Mori Industries Co., Ltd., the company has announced the release of "Gunma Cabbage Curry" on January 25, 2024. This product is developed with the...
After salad chicken, next in line are fish bars and tofu bars.
Easily Accessible Protein, Also Available via Subscription Rise of Discounts: Supermarkets React to Consumer Thrift with Increased Sales Promotions. The demand for refrigerated ready-to-eat protein dishes is booming. Following the popularization of salad chicken, which became widespread through...
Lessons from Yokado’s Massive Store Closures and Delayed Adaptation: Transferring 9 Stores to Other Companies, Strengthening Focus on the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
On February 9, Ito-Yokado announced plans to transfer its "Ito-Yokado" stores in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Chubu regions to other companies, emphasizing a concentration of stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The decision, part of a business restructuring outlined in the mid-term management plan by...
Innovative Cat products in Family Mart stores for the CAT DAY 22th FEB
To celebrate "Cat Day" on February 22nd, FamilyMart is launching the "Family meow Grand Strategy!" from February 13, 2024 (Tuesday). This event will feature 19 original products, including cat-themed sweets, bread, chilled beverages, and daily necessities. The promotion will be available at...
Alternative Seafood rice bowl from Family mart convenience stores.
FamilyMart released a new product, "Daitai (Alternative) Seafood Bowl," as part of its private brand "Famimaru KITCHEN" on February 6, 2024. This product is available at some stores in the Kanto region, approximately 2300 locations. "Famimaru KITCHEN" is FamilyMart's private brand, offering a...