#Japan #Yokkaichi #Shop Counter #Ichigokan #Retail Leasing

Integration of Digital Transformation in Retail Leasing by Ichigokan

Introduction
Ichigokan, a prominent retail company based in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, has recently implemented the 'Shop Counter Enterprise,' a cutting-edge Digital Transformation (DX) system for leasing retail spaces. This system, provided by COUNTERWORKS, aims to revolutionize how commercial facilities manage tenant recruitment and promote diversity in their marketplaces.

Background of Ichigokan
Established in 1958, Ichigokan boasts a rich history of serving the local community with various retail brands such as the grocery supermarket 'Ichigokan,' DIY store 'Mr. Tonkachi,' and the multi-category retailer 'F☆MART.' With a total of 31 stores as of October 2025, Ichigokan focuses on creating shopping environments that resonate with residents' everyday needs.

Throughout the years, Ichigokan has organized various events in-store to enhance customer footfall and create vibrant shopping atmospheres. However, these events predominantly leaned towards lifestyle service promotions, leaving room for broader engagement with diverse local vendors that align with its supermarket and discount store formats.

Goals with the 'Shop Counter Enterprise' Implementation
With the introduction of 'Shop Counter Enterprise,' Ichigokan is set to establish a dedicated event recruitment website aimed at connecting with businesses wishing to participate in short-term openings. The phased rollout will initially target stores that are prepared to accept events, encompassing the different brands under Ichigokan.

The plan is to adapt the types of events based on each store's location and customer demographics, transforming events from straightforward space-utilization exercises into opportunities that diversify product offerings and create unique reasons for customers to visit. The ultimate goal is to enhance each store's vibrancy while maximizing the utilization of event spaces, enriching customers' shopping experiences with new discoveries and delights.

To facilitate this robust system, COUNTERWORKS will provide dedicated consulting support, ensuring effective implementation from initial design to operational establishment and performance results within a short timeframe.

Voices from Ichigokan
Koichi Watanabe, Head of the Development Department at Ichigokan, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with COUNTERWORKS. He emphasizes that Ichigokan prioritizes creating stores that resonate with the daily shopping habits of local customers. He believes that by utilizing space for various events, not only can they enhance revenue, but also offer customers exciting new experiences.

Watanabe stated, “Through the implementation of the 'Shop Counter Enterprise,' we aim to build connections with businesses that we previously found challenging to engage with, thus showcasing diverse events tailored to each store's unique characteristics. With COUNTERWORKS' support, we are committed to developing attractive retail spaces that delight our customers while enhancing profitability.”

Event Space Recruitment Site
The dedicated event recruitment site for Ichigokan is now live, accessible at Ichigokan Event Space Recruitment Site.

Please note that the images of vendors displayed are conceptual and may differ from actual setups, including layouts, decorations, and product displays.

Contact for Inquiries
Any parties interested in learning more about the 'Shop Counter Enterprise' or advancing DX in commercial facilities are encouraged to reach out via this link. Detailed documentation covering functionalities and implementation timelines is available upon request.

About 'Shop Counter Enterprise'
'Shop Counter Enterprise' is an innovative DX system geared towards retail leasing. It offers a platform for commercial facilities to showcase available spaces for tenants, equipped with a management system for inquiries, sales, tenant information, and space usage. This powerful system enables efficient tenant recruitment and management, currently in use across more than 1,500 commercial facilities. For more information, visit Counteworks.

About COUNTERWORKS

• - Company Name: COUNTERWORKS Inc.
• - Location: 7-22-17, Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
• - CEO: Naoki Sanbe
• - Business Scope: Planning, development, and operations of 'Shop Counter' and 'Shop Counter Enterprise'
• - Capital: 654 million yen (including capital reserve)
• - Website: COUNTERWORKS