STYLE's Remarkable Achievement in 2025
株式会社STYLE, headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo and led by CEO Ryota Tamura, recently announced a significant milestone: by May 2025, the company has surpassed 300 monthly locations for its community-based buying events. Known as '催事買取' or event buying, this service is becoming increasingly popular as it offers a unique solution to the growing demands for recycling and budget-conscious spending among an aging population.
What is Event Buying?
Event buying involves setting up temporary buying stations in local supermarkets and commercial complexes. This service caters primarily to senior citizens, who are often looking for convenient ways to sell unwanted items. As a rising trend in Japan, it not only supports the growing reuse market but is also becoming a vital component of elderly care, helping seniors declutter their homes through a reliable and familiar process.
Customer-Centric Approach Leading to Continued Growth
STYLE’s commitment to enhancing customer service has played a crucial role in its rapid growth. Over the years, the company has focused on building trust with its customers. Many have returned for repeat visits and referred family and friends, demonstrating a strong bond with the staff.
This success is attributed to several key factors:
1.
High-quality Customer Service: Many returning customers have established ongoing relationships with specific appraisers at the events. The company prioritizes a service approach that values individual customer interactions, providing a level of care that encourages trust and satisfaction.
2.
Wide Range of Acceptable Items: Unlike traditional buying services focused on precious metals or luxury goods, STYLE accepts a wide spectrum of everyday items. From telephone cards, stamps, and ancient coins to non-branded watches and cameras, this extensive list caters to diverse customer needs.
3.
User-Friendly Design for Seniors: The layout of the buying events is designed to be open and welcoming, with appraisers visible to create a sense of security. Simplified operations, such as cash payments sans smartphone use, help ease the process for seniors who might find technology daunting. The three-step flow of engagement (staff welcoming, conversation, and appraisals) ensures a seamless experience for customers.
Growth in the Buying Industry
The expansion of STYLE is complemented by the overall growth in the reuse sector, with market projections indicating that the industry will reach 4 trillion yen by 2030. This is attributed to several societal trends:
- - Increase in Gold Prices: With global instability and a declining yen, many people see this as an opportune time to sell gold items.
- - Frugality Due to Economic Downturn: Rising costs and future uncertainties have prompted many to consider selling unused items for cash.
- - Awareness of Sustainable Practices: The societal shift towards reusing items aligns with SDGs principles, encouraging people to view selling as not only feasible but also eco-friendly.
- - Increase in Need for Organization Among Seniors: The demand for services that assist in decluttering due to transitioning life events has amplified, particularly among older generations.
Challenges in Event Buying
While event buying's flexible model allows for easy establishment, it has led to increased competition. Unfortunately, some businesses prioritize profit over customer experience, which could harm the industry's reputation. In contrast, STYLE emphasizes positive interactions, striving to create experiences customers would recommend to their loved ones.
To maintain a quality standard, STYLE integrates customer service metrics into employee evaluations and holds regular training sessions. These initiatives ensure that all staff members adhere to the company's high service standards.
Future Prospects and Commitment to Excellence
Event buying, still a relatively new method since its legal introduction in 2018, lacks a leading representative in Japan. STYLE aims to be recognized as a front-runner in this field based on sales, event count, and customer satisfaction.
The company's mission is clear: to establish event buying as a trusted and accessible service, promoting a higher standard in the industry. By enhancing customer confidence and eliminating misconceptions, STYLE hopes to contribute to the overall growth and acceptance of event buying as a reliable resource for decluttering and recycling in society.
In conclusion, as STYLE continues to innovate and adapt, it looks toward a future where event buying not only thrives but also becomes the standard in Japanese society, offering peace of mind and simplicity to anyone looking to engage in the service.