Brand expands beyond Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka into Hokkaido

A rendering of the Matin Kim store at Sapporo Parco. [Musinsa]
A rendering of the Matin Kim store at Sapporo Parco. [Musinsa]

Musinsa announced Thursday that it will open the fifth Japanese location of Matin Kim, a Korean fashion brand it distributes in Japan, in Sapporo.

Since last year, Musinsa has opened stores in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in succession, building out a retail network across Japan's major economic regions — the Greater Tokyo area, the Chubu region and the Kansai area. The four stores currently in operation drew about 300,000 visitors between January and September this year.

The Sapporo opening marks a push beyond Japan's three major metropolitan areas into Hokkaido's largest city, with the aim of expanding K-fashion's footprint on a truly nationwide scale. Sapporo serves as the hub of Hokkaido's consumer economy and draws more than 16 million tourists a year, making it a key touchpoint for reaching both local shoppers and visitors.

The store, set to open Oct. 23, will be located in Sapporo Parco, a popular shopping destination in the Odori district at the heart of the city's commercial zone. The venue connects directly to Odori subway station and draws young local consumers with fashion, lifestyle and cultural offerings under one roof.

Given Hokkaido's long winters and strong local interest in cold-weather and winter fashion, the store will carry a wide selection of Matin Kim's signature products centered on fall-winter new arrivals. Items including the Henry Neck Logo Knit Top will go on early sale at the Sapporo location, and an opening promotion offering limited-edition gifts with purchase is also planned.

"Japan's consumer preferences and fashion market characteristics vary distinctly by region, so we are refining our retail strategy for each area based on customer feedback and operational experience accumulated in major cities," a Musinsa official said. "We will continue building a stable business foundation grounded in a deep understanding of the local market and strong retail capabilities, so that Matin Kim and other K-fashion brands can sustain their growth across Japan."


soho0902@heraldcorp.com