Walmart have officially opened the first Walmart ecommerce store in Japan. The Walmart Rakuten Ichiba Store is on the Rakuten Ichiba internet shopping mall. The flagship store combines Walmart’s international expertise in delivering high-quality US branded products at great prices and Rakuten’s strengths in online commerce to bring exciting new shopping experiences to Japanese consumers.
The digital Walmart store offers Japanese consumers access to a wide variety of high-quality US branded products, including fashion apparel, outdoor goods and toys. The store will initially offer approximately 1,200 products from a diverse range of prestigious brands. Orders will be fulfilled in the US and air freighted directly to Japanese customers, with a no surprises policy that includes shipping, duties and taxes in the product price. This is key for Japanese consumers who demand in depth product information up front an a much higher customer service regime than retailers are accustomed to provide in the West.
Walmart plans to continue expanding its product range and adding assortment to the Rakuten Ichiba store an Walmart’s Japanese subisidary Seiyu GK will provide customer support for the store, leveraging its years of experience serving local Japanese consumers.
“Walmart is committed to providing a trusted retail experience in Japan and we are always looking for new ways to better serve consumers here as their lifestyles and needs change. Through Seiyu, we have an in-depth understanding of this fast-changing market. The carefully curated assortment being offered on our flagship store reflects this insight and our ongoing dedication to Japanese shoppers.”
– Nathan Kring, Senior Vice President, Walmart International
The digital Walmart store on Rakuten Ichiba is part of a strategic alliance between Walmart and Rakuten announced in January this year. The two companies are leveraging their unique strengths and assets to expand consumer reach and enhance the way customers are served in Japan and the US.
“We are very excited to be working with Walmart to bring a diverse product lineup of American brands at affordable prices to Rakuten Ichiba users in Japan. Through the opening of the Walmart Rakuten Ichiba Store, we hope to make Rakuten Ichiba an even more attractive destination for online shoppers in Japan.”
– Shunsuke Yazawa, Executive officer and vice president, marketplace business, Rakuten
