JAPAN'S CHEAP CHIC

摘要

Japan has half the population of the U.S., and less land than California, yet there are more than twice as many Burberry, Hermes, and Prada stores in the Land of the Rising Sun than in all of America. Fordecades they've been full of brand-conscious Japanese shoppers who typically dig deep for luxury labels, fueling a $20 billion-a-year market. But even before the global recession, there were signs of a slowdown. When McKinsey & Co. principal Brian Salsberg wanders through Tokyo's shopping district, he notices that "for every one luxury [brand] bag, there are 10 Uniqlo, Forever 21, or H&M bags," referring to trendy lower-priced labels.