Introduction
In an exciting development for the retail sector, Kohnan has officially joined the ARUTANA platform, a state-of-the-art retail media platform developed by DearOne, a subsidiary of NTT Docomo focused on marketing innovations. This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing advertising capabilities across Kohnan’s official app, enabling targeted information delivery to users while strengthening its customer engagement strategies.
Background and Objectives of Kohnan’s Participation
Kohnan operates over 670 stores, focusing on a wide range of home-related products including tools and supplies for professional users through its two main business models: Kohnan Home Center and Kohnan PRO. Recognizing the changing dynamics of retail, Kohnan has recently renovated its app, introducing features like app-exclusive coupons and the Kohnan Plus membership service, which now has over one million members as of February 2026. Kohnan aims to reach three million app registrations by February 2028, demonstrating its commitment to improving customer convenience and enhancing member-exclusive services.
On the other hand, ARUTANA serves as an innovative media platform that allows multiple retail businesses to advertise across various official apps simultaneously. By joining ARUTANA, Kohnan aims not only to bolster its app usage but also to provide its users with the most relevant information while connecting advertisers with Kohnan’s audience effectively.
Impact on Advertisers
With Kohnan’s inclusion in the ARUTANA network, advertisers will now have access to Kohnan app users, significantly enhancing the reach of their marketing campaigns. This merger will increase the value of delivering consolidated ads across multiple retail applications and provide brands with opportunities to interact with highly engaged consumers who are actively seeking shopping deals and promotions on their favorite platforms.
DearOne’s vision is to establish Japan’s largest retail media network with ARUTANA by partnering with retailers and manufacturers alike to enhance customer experience through innovative lifestyle solutions.
Overview of Kohnan App
The Kohnan app is a smartphone application designed to enhance the shopping experience by offering users access to exclusive coupons and the latest in-store promotional flyers. Simply downloading the app gives access to valuable coupons, easy tracking of usage, and information summaries about preferred store locations through the ‘My Store’ feature. Furthermore, registering for Kohnan Plus provides daily shopping perks through limited-time offers and information, catering to customers' needs more effectively.
You can explore the Kohnan app at
Kohnan App.
Overview of ARUTANA
ARUTANA eliminates the complexity of advertising across multiple retail apps by transforming individual retailer apps into an integrated ad network. Advertisers simply submit their campaigns to ARUTANA, allowing them to reach a wider audience across various platforms with high conversion rates. As approximately 75% of retail app interactions occur in-store, advertisers can effectively target high-intent customers directly. Retail operators can easily monetize their applications without incurring significant development costs, utilizing ARUTANA’s simple management interface for efficient ad deployment.
Take a closer look at ARUTANA's potential at
ARUTANA.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Kohnan and ARUTANA signifies a notable shift in retail advertising, focusing on enhanced consumer engagement and improved advertising effectiveness. As Kohnan continues to innovate its app functionalities and expand its retail presence, its partnership with ARUTANA will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of retail media in Japan.
Contact Information
For retailers interested in leveraging ARUTANA, more information can be found through the following links:
About Kohnan Corporation
Since its establishment in 1978, Kohnan has been at the forefront of the home improvement industry, offering a diverse range of over 100,000 products from daily household needs to professional tools. Kohnan continues to align its services with consumer demands, aiming to help customers achieve their ideal living spaces. The company operates over 670 locations and is headquartered in Osaka. For more details, visit
Kohnan.
About DearOne
DearOne, a subsidiary of NTT Docomo, specializes in marketing innovations aimed at providing businesses with robust solutions such as the ARUTANA platform and various analytics tools designed to enhance user experience and engagement. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japanese, it focuses on bridging the gap between technology and consumer needs. More details can be found at
DearOne.