#Japan #Tokyo #Fresh Seafood #Mirai Marche #Regular Delivery

Introduction

In recent years, the seafood industry has faced growing challenges due to unpredictable catch volumes. Regular suppliers are experiencing fluctuations in certain fish species availability, forcing retailers to adapt to a more diverse and changing supply landscape. To support supermarkets and fish retailers navigating this uncertainty, Mirai Marche has launched a regular delivery service for fresh seafood beginning May 13, 2025.

Changing Market Needs

The dynamics of seafood supply have shifted significantly. Traditional catch areas are showing inconsistencies, while other regions may suddenly have abundant harvests. Reports from retailers using Mirai Marche's platform reveal that they are struggling with stable catch forecasts. This has led to a higher demand for a variety of fish species instead of relying on a few standard options.

Mirai Marche has analyzed transaction data and found an increasing trend in the diversity of fish species available for order, as well as a higher percentage of orders being placed on these less commonly traded species. This increasing order ratio indicates a rising need for retailers to incorporate a mixed variety of lesser-known fish into their offerings to enhance trade stability in an unpredictable environment.

Establishing Regular Delivery Service

In response to these evolving market needs, Mirai Marche is set to launch a regular delivery service designed to stabilize transactions for both buyers and sellers. Through this service, the company will consult with supermarkets and retailers regarding their preferences—such as fish species, sizes, price ranges, and delivery frequency—to ensure optimal matching with suppliers.

Each supplier will adjust the contents of the seafood delivery set based on their assessment of the retail needs, thus enabling retailers to expand their direct supply with minimal effort and strengthen the diversity of their offerings. In case of difficulties due to adverse weather conditions affecting specific regions, Mirai Marche will coordinate with alternative suppliers to maintain a reliable supply chain.

Retailers will also be informed about delivery contents through the Mirai Marche app on the day of shipment, facilitating smooth sales preparations, including POS registrations.

Testing and Launching the Service

Prior to the official launch, from October to December 2024, a trial run was conducted to test the concept between suppliers and retailers. With each shipment, the feedback confirmed an improvement in matching with retailers' orders, highlighting significant value for continued transactions.

From January to March 2025, a multi-supplier and multi-retailer transaction was tested with eight suppliers and four retailers, focusing on practical operational aspects. Despite concerns over potential shortages due to weather and concentrated loads on specific suppliers, continued adjustments and feedback allowed for smooth operations and high satisfaction rates among participants. During this trial period, approximately 600 boxes were successfully shipped, leading to the decision to finalize the service.

Voices from Stakeholders

In discussing the initiatives, Takaki Kai, a seafood buyer from Tokyu Store, stated that their commitment to quality and freshness has been challenged by unpredictable yields. They sought support in building a network with producers to maintain a diverse selection. The approach of regular delivery from Mirai Marche allows for easy sourcing of seasonal and desirable fish types with minimal operational burden.

Meanwhile, Keiichi Katsube, a representative of Katsube Shoten, noted that given the declining fish catch volumes, traditional methods of supplying large quantities have become less viable. The introduction of the regular delivery system helped them deepen relationships with their retailers and enhance business flexibility.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Mirai Marche aims to expand their supplier base while enhancing support systems to address an increasingly varied market demand. They plan to facilitate promotional suggestions, fair planning, and the provision of marketing support tools to encourage wider use of less common fish species that have previously had limited distribution opportunities. Initiatives will also include the rollout of a promotional support kit starting March 2025, designed to ease the burden on retailers while fostering attractive selling spaces.

Additionally, considering resource conservation, Mirai Marche is focused on revamping distribution methods to avoid overexerting fisheries due to mismatches in supply and demand. They aim to implement environmentally friendly practices throughout seafood logistics.

Together, these initiatives will help solidify a sustainable seafood distribution model amidst the unpredictable fishing environment. Mirai Marche remains committed to evolving their practices and ensuring fish distribution continuity far into the future, responding to the needs of users today and tomorrow.