We hope we’ve convinced you that Japan is a market worth aiming for, if you want to grow your retail business internationally.

In this second post about trading in Japan, we look at:

• Tips for successful trading with Japan.
• Why at OCS Worldwide we’re the experts in shipping and delivery to Japan – it’s in our DNA!

Successful trading in Japan

When it comes to the Japanese eCommerce market, the difference between a modest presence and big scale often comes down to where you host your storefront.

Take fashion: the Japanese annual spend on UK fashion ordering directly from the UK is estimated at between £120 million and £180 million.

But this relates to pure cross-border sales, where Japanese customers visit a UK-based site, like a .co.uk.

In fact, most Japanese spending on UK brands happens on domestic platforms like ZOZOTOWN, Rakuten, or Amazon Japan via local subsidiaries or licensing deals – and then we get into the billions!

Japan is often the second or third largest global market for British heritage brands, but to access that bigger spend, then ZOZOTOWN or Rakuten (even via a cross-border integration) is more effective than driving traffic to a UK stand-alone site.

Japan’s is a sophisticated market, so you will benefit by following these four top tips:

1.  Lead with heritage

Japanese consumers love fashion and heritage brands. If your brand has a legacy, make it the hero of your marketing.

2.  Total price transparency

Hidden costs are a dealbreaker. You must offer a ‘landed cost’ (duties included) at checkout. Japanese consumers often abandon carts if they suspect hidden fees on arrival.

3.  Localisation over globalisation

Japanese shoppers prefer buying from local .jp sites. If you’re selling only through .co.uk domains, you’re narrowing your market considerably.

4.  Mobile-friendly first

The majority of Japanese eCommerce is done via mobile, so make sure your site is perfectly mobile enabled, with fast load times and local payment integrations.

Successful trading in Japan

While OCS UK operates as a wholly owned business, our roots are firmly planted in Japan. Founded 70 years ago, OCS Japan remains our global HQ and the heartbeat of our brand. We are incredibly proud to be part of this global family, carrying forward a legacy of care and reliability.

We’ve been collaborating closely with OCS Japan to bridge the gap between UK retailers and Japanese consumers, through:

• Seamless delivery: leveraging decades of local network knowledge.
• The SIBO advantage: introducing Send It Back Online (SIBO), our proprietary returns portal.
• White-label ready: a customisable returns solution that fits your brand perfectly.

When shipping to the third-largest economy in the world, trust matters. Who better to handle your logistics than the team that calls it home?

At OCS, we are ‘Big In Japan’ – and we’re ready to help you get there too.

If you’d like to talk to us about eCommerce shipping, delivery and returns in Japan, please get in touch on +44(0)20 7640 3800, or send us an e-mail, talk2us@ocsworldwide.co.uk.