Walmart Inc., KKR & Co. Inc. and Rakuten, Inc., announced the signing of definitive agreements under which KKR will purchase a majority stake, and a new Rakuten subsidiary will purchase a minorit…
70% of online Japanese fashion sales through mobile phones
Japanese consumers love to shop online and prefer to use apps on smartphones to make purchases, with Japan leading the world in mobile transactions.…
Walmart taps Rakuten for online delivery in Japan
Walmart has teamed up with Rakuten for the US supermarket’s new delivery service to be rolled out across Japan in the latter half of 2018.…
Rakuten first-quarter profits surge on sales promotions, new tech investments
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten said net income for the first-quarter of fiscal 2017 more than doubled for the three months ending March 31, on the back of a positive customer response to sales prom…
Android Pay officially expands to Japan
Despite expanding to Ireland last week, Android Pay’s global penetration is still quite weak – Japan is only the third Asian location to get access, after Hong Kong and Singapore.…
Rakuten sign up as FC Barcelona’s new main global partner
Rakuten will become the main global sponsor of FC Barcelona and appear on the front of the first team’s jersey for the next four seasons, beginning in 2017/18.…
Rakuten opens flagship store on Korea’s 11STREET
At the time of launch, Rakuten’s online flagship store will feature a variety of fashion goods, beauty and sports products from leading Japanese merchants.…
Can Japan’s renowned customer service be recreated online?
Can brands find a happy medium between the traditional idea of ‘omotenashi’ and the quick, efficient shopping a younger generation demands?…
Japan’s Rakuten losing shine as business model grows rusty
E-commerce pioneer Rakuten is showing its age as sprightlier rivals appeal to online shoppers drawn to convenience and word-of-mouth marketing.…
Government mulls unique ID for hallmarked jewelry sold across India
The government is working to give a unique ID to each piece of hallmarked jewellery that is sold through registered jewellers and BIS recognized hallmarking centres in India, to Sunil Soni, director …