As Japanese trade show groups are searching for innovative ways to lure buyers, especially from other Asian countries.

The figures reflect an improvement from past months of double-digit declines.

Consumers snapped up fewer cosmetics and beauty products in Japan and other countries.

Seibu Department Stores will close its Yurakucho unit this year, Sogo & Seibu Co. Ltd. said Wednesday.

Succession plan at the retailer is unclear.

Japanese apparel giant Onward Holdings saw lower sales in the nine months ended Nov. 30 but swung back into the black for the period.

Sales at Uniqlo’s Paris store and the launch of the +J collection boosted Fast Retailing’s first-quarter results.

Shiseido will establish a Shiseido Group sales company in Switzerland this month by acquiring 100 percent of the shares of the current distributor

Swift sales of Heattech apparel and down jackets boosted results.

Takashimaya’s net profits fell 63.2 percent for the nine-month period to Nov. 30.

Japanese trade show organizers aim to excite and entice both retailers and shoppers.

Retailer Isetan Mitsukoshi posted an operating loss as Japanese consumers cut back on spending.

Designers showcased everything from frilly Victorian lace numbers to hard-edged looks with an Eighties feel at the ninth edition of Japan Fashion Week.

Spike in Uniqlo comps comes just before this week’s launch of the +J collection by Jil Sander.

Retailers continue to suffer, post 18th straight month of decline.