Managing in Troubled Times Case Study

Mitsukoshi: The Japanese Retailer's Troubled Times

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Abstract:
Mitsukoshi, started in 1673, runs around a dozen department stores and about 100 smaller stores in Japan and around 20 outlets in major European, North American and Asian cities. By the 1960s, it had become the best-stocked and prestigious department store, but since the mid-1970s, Mitsukoshi has been marred by decades of management problems and a struggling economy.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss how Mitsukoshi lost its share to other retailers like supermarkets, superstores and discount stores
• To discuss the strategies adopted by Mitsukoshi to respond to Japan's sluggish economy and consumers' changing behaviour
• To discuss how the company was restructuring to avoid further troubles.

Keywords :  Mitsukoshi; Department store; Retailing; Restructuring; Economy bubble; Consumer price index; Managing in Troubled Times Case Study; Supermarket; Superstore; Discount store; Japan's economy; Japanese retail stores

Contents:

• Competition from supermarkets
• Mismanagement
• Restructuring plans
• New five-year medium-term plan