Image Credit: Yahoo! Japan
Ito-Yokado, a leading general merchandise store chain in Japan, has announced the closure of 33 stores by February next year, reducing its total number to 93. This decision follows a previous closure of 17 stores earlier this year and a strategic shift by parent company Seven & I Holdings, which has separated its supermarket business from the chain. The closures include significant locations such as the Ryugasaki store in Ibaraki, the Nishikawaguchi store in Saitama, and the Anesaki store in Chiba, with a major focus on stores in the Kanto region.
The Tsudanuma store, a key location due to its 46-year history, has attracted considerable attention. Scheduled to close in September, the store’s imminent shutdown has sparked emotional responses from the community. Local residents have expressed their sadness and nostalgia, reflecting on how Tsudanuma has evolved from a shopping destination to a residential area over the past two decades. Social media posts highlight this sentiment, with many noting the symbolic significance of the closure for the area.
During a visit to the Tsudanuma store, the sense of loss was palpable. A notice at the entrance announced the store’s closure, and inside, a wall was dedicated to customer messages. Numerous post-it notes, each detailing personal memories and fondness for the store, underscored its impact on the local community.
This development underscores broader challenges facing Ito-Yokado, as it grapples with restructuring and adapting to changing consumer patterns and regional dynamics. As the chain faces these difficulties, the closure of the Tsudanuma store stands as a poignant reminder of its longstanding connection to the community and the evolving nature of retail landscapes.