Filipinos won’t have to leave the country to buy Japanese goods!
Tomorrow, November 18, the Philippines’ first Mitsukoshi mall will finally open its doors in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Developer Federal Land shared the news via social media.
This is the Japanese luxury department store’s first branch in the country. But what exactly is Mitsukoshi, and what can Filipino shoppers expect from it?
Mitsukoshi is a well-known department store chain with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1673 under the name Echigo-ya, selling kimonos. Ten years later, it adopted a novel marketing approach. Instead of selling by going door-to-door, they set up a store where buyers could buy goods on the spot with cash. The Tokyo Metro‘s Mitsukoshimae Station is named after the adjacent Mitsukoshi department store. On April 5, 2019, Mitsukoshi announced plans to expand its Asian presence with a branch in BGC. This location will be its 56th worldwide.
Mitsukoshi BGC serves as the anchor for The Seasons Residences. The building is a premium Japanese-inspired condominium project developed by Federal Land. It’s located within the planned community of Grand Central Park in BGC, which will soon be home to other upscale establishments. They partnered with Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.
What will Mitsukoshi mall have to offer?
The four-story mall will be located in BGC’s Grand Central Park area. The mall will house around 120 local and Japanese premium retailers. All these stores will also be “rich in Japanese culture and style.” The mall will cover an area of 15,000 square meters and have four themed floors: Tasty Life, Beautiful Life, Inspired Life, and Entertainment Life.
Tasty Life will be in the basement. Mitsukoshi Fresh, an upscale grocery similar to Japanese depachika, will be located there. It will feature fresh produce and imported delicacies, among other items. This floor also has a deli, a food court, and a sweets corner.
The first floor will feature Mitsukoshi Beauty. There you’ll find clothes and cosmetics, as well as other lifestyle items. Customers will also enjoy an open salon where they can get beauty services with meticulous techniques using featured products. The third floor will have more eateries and a Japanese bookstore. Finally, Japanese entertainment options will be available on the fourth floor.
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Japanophiles will surely be in for a treat on November 18! Which floor will you visit first when Mitsukoshi mall opens?
Featured Image Daniella Sison
