Japan's Department Stores Gear Up For Duty-free Expansion

Above, the Wako (left) and Mitsukoshi (right) department stores in Ginza, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

October 1 is not far away and Japan's department stores are gearing up for the start of new duty-free sales on that date.

The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun) reported:

With demand for gifts and souvenirs among foreign tourists expected to increase after cosmetics, food and other products are granted duty-free status on Oct. 1, department store chains around the nation are working to expand their services for customers from overseas. 

“If cosmetics were duty free, I’d want to buy them, too,” said a 54-year-old Singaporean woman at Mitsukoshi’s Ginza store in early September. The woman said she visits Japan twice a year for tourism and dining. 

Duty-free items are currently limited to products such as electronics and clothing, but come October, consumable items including food, alcohol and cosmetics will also be available. Department store chains are busily preparing for the expansion, taking such steps as establishing special duty-free sales areas, expanding counters to process duty-free purchases and hiring more staff.

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