Ikebukuro department stores share neighborhood love

Written by: Rebecca Milner on June 14, 2008 at 7:31 am | In LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS | No Comments

Department store’s tendency to want to one-up their competitors usually means some cool new developments, like the Tokyu and Seibu department store rivalry that produced some of Shibuya’s more interesting retail establishments, Tokyu Hands and Shibuya 109 (Tokyu), Parco and Loft (Seibu).

So we are not sure what to make of the report that Seibu and its Ikebukuro rival, Tobu, will be working together on the Seibu Tobu Cooperation Ikebukuro Information Center, which will have information on sights, dining, and entertainment in the area.

Seibu and Tobu are the major department stores in Ikebukuro, an area that has been drawing attention for the June 14th opening of a new subway line. The rivals will both participate in the Love Ikebukuro Fair on June 14th and 15th and are joint sponsors for the information center, which is located at the basement entrance from the new line to the Seibu store.

The location is also being used for a limited time to pass out free Seibu and Tobu branded eco bags featuring Toshima ward (where Ikebukuro is located) character Toshima-kun (live model pictured below).

Meanwhile, the Japanese Department Store Association has announced an impressive collaboration between all stores to launch, yup you guessed it, an eco bag.

The “Depato Regi-Bag,” released in honor of the G8 summit will be available from July 7th at all department stores in the country for ¥600. Customers are entitled to a ¥50 discount when they use the bag.

Tags: department stores, ecology, Fashion, Ikebukuro, Shibuya
Category: LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: DIGITAL LIFE, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS