#Japan #Tokyo #retail trends #Gourica Marketing #ICT Utilization

Seminar on the Latest Retail Trends from Europe and America

Gourica Marketing, a Tokyo-based company driven by the vision of "making the world more free and abundant through rationalization that resonates with people," will host a seminar on July 29 at the Shibuya Solasta Conference. This event will feature guest speakers, including Mr. Noboru Gunji from the Store ICT Utilization Research Institute and Mr. Kojiro Henmi from CaT Lab, who will discuss the latest retail trends in Europe and America.

Background of the Event

In light of recent reports, major U.S. retailer Walmart has exceeded approximately 100 trillion yen in sales, with e-commerce accounting for 18% of its total revenue. Moreover, Amazon is intensifying its efforts in integrating online and offline strategies (the OMO approach) through initiatives like low-cost Amazon Fresh and innovations in smart shopping carts. During this seminar, attendees will gain insights from recent visits to key retailers such as Walmart and Amazon, as well as popular low-price chains like ALDI, LIDL, and Costco, which have thrived in a global inflationary environment.

The discussions will delve into the significance of these trends for Japanese retailers and manufacturers. Mr. Henmi and Mr. Gunji will explore the implications for physical stores, the evolving relationship between distribution and manufacturers, and developments in OMO strategies, bolstered by observations gathered from their field visits. In an era where rising costs persist in Japan, businesses face pressure to innovate and utilize AI and data effectively across all sectors. Understanding the current landscape of the top five retailers worldwide could prove invaluable as you contemplate your future business strategies.

This seminar aims to provide executives, planners, and marketers within the retail and distribution industries a platform to derive insights and considerations from advanced international case studies, ultimately aiding them in redefining their strategies.

Event Overview

Date and Time: July 29, 2025 (Tuesday)
Time: 16:30 to 18:00 (Registration starts at 16:00)

Venue: Shibuya Solasta Conference, 4th Floor, Shibuya Solasta, 1-21-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0043

Capacity: 50 participants (via lottery)

Participation Fee: Free

Organizer: Gourica Marketing, Inc.

Please note, this event is an in-person offline seminar and will not be available for streaming afterward.

Featured Speakers

• - Mr. Noboru Gunji (Speaker): Representative of the Store ICT Utilization Research Institute and advisor to Gourica Marketing. Mr. Gunji has a background of managing a drugstore, leading IT reform projects at Kokokara Fine (now Matsukiyo Kakokara & Company), and holding several key positions, including president of an EC business company. He currently focuses on enhancing customer experience and profitability through the integration of retail and IT.

• - Mr. Kojiro Henmi (Speaker): Representative Director of CaT Lab, and a director at the Japan Omnichannel Association. Mr. Henmi has extensive experience in the book retail sector and has contributed to the launch of several online retail operations, including leading role assignments at Aeon’s online supermarket and the omnichannel transformation of Kitamura Cameras. He specializes in providing thorough omnichannel consultancy, bridging gaps between management, operations, IT, customer service, and marketing.

• - Mr. Takaaki Haneda (Moderator): Business Division Head of Gourica Marketing's Go Insight. He has a rich experience in solution sales at large system integrators and has led various projects, including plant exports to China and health food manufacturing. In 2019, he joined Gourica Marketing and has since contributed significantly to shopper behavior analysis services.

Event Schedule

• - 16:00 - Doors Open (Registration begins)
• - 16:30 - Seminar begins: "Exploring the Latest Retail Trends from Europe and America: A Seminar on Global Distribution Strategies" with speakers Mr. Gunji and Mr. Henmi.
• - 18:00-18:30 - Coffee break and closing remarks. (This schedule is subject to change.)

How to Apply

The event will be conducted through a lottery system to ensure a quality experience for all attendees. Participants can register via the provided application form, after which individual details will be communicated to those selected. Registration will close once the participant limit is reached.

For more details and to register, visit: Gourica Marketing Seminar Registration

About Gourica Marketing, Inc.

Company Information

• - Company Name: Gourica Marketing, Inc.
• - Location: 1-10-9 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: Kenkyu Okamoto
• - Capital: 100 million yen
• - Notes: In June 2023, the company executed an MBO supported by Femto Partners, achieving independence from the Konica Minolta Group.
• - Website: Gourica Marketing Official Site

Business Services:

• - Promotion of DX in marketing departments, optimization of supply chains-related promotional materials (catalogs, POPs, displays), provision of operational efficiency systems for marketing departments, and support for maximizing marketing ROI through data analysis.