Most major department stores in Japan closed for the New Year to provide employees with a holiday break. Upon reopening, shoppers flocked to the stores, leading to strong sales performances.
On January 1, 2026, most major department stores in Japan closed their doors to give employees a New Year's holiday break. When they reopened for the year's first sales, crowds of shoppers surged in, resulting in significantly higher sales.
All Sogo & Seibu Co. stores shut on New Year's Day and reopened on Friday. At the Sogo Yokohama store, customers began queuing around 4 a.m., with about 10,000 entering within 30 minutes of opening. Sales and customer numbers rose by more than 50% compared to January 1, 2025.
The store offered 'lucky bags' for the season, including a ¥59,000 package featuring a stay at Hotel New Grand in Yokohama and afternoon tea in its historic banquet hall. Amid rising prices, affordable options were available, such as a ¥2,026 lucky bag containing a men's jacket.
"I buy lucky bags every year as gifts for my family. [The offerings in the] lucky bags are cheaper than usual, and I’m happy because they’re a good deal," said a woman in her 70s from Yokohama, who purchased food and other lucky bags.
Tobu Department Store Co. closed its outlets on January 1 and 2 for the first time in 49 years, reopening on January 3. Takashimaya Co. and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. followed suit, closing on the first two days as they did last year.
Takashimaya's Nihombashi store in Tokyo also remained closed for the initial two days, similar to the previous year. Its January sales last year exceeded those of January 2024, when it opened on January 2. "Our employees were able to return to their hometowns and have time to relax thanks to the days off, and we feel this had a positive effect [on our business]," the store’s deputy manager said.
This practice highlights a growing emphasis on employee well-being in the retail sector.
