中国大陆市场关店收缩，日本家居一哥怎么了？

Core Viewpoint - NITORI, Japan's largest home goods chain, initially planned to expand aggressively in mainland China but has since shifted to a contraction strategy, closing numerous stores within a year, raising questions about its market judgment and operational strategy [2][8]. Group 1: Financial Performance - For the fiscal year 2024, NITORI reported sales of 928.9 billion yen (approximately 45.91 billion RMB), a year-on-year increase of 3.7%, but operating profit decreased by 5.8% to 120.3 billion yen (approximately 5.95 billion RMB), and net profit fell by 11.1% to 76.89 billion yen (approximately 3.8 billion RMB) [2]. - The company's pure sales from its brand business reached 821 billion yen (approximately 40.58 billion RMB), reflecting a 4.5% year-on-year growth, indicating overall performance was subpar with two consecutive years of revenue growth but profit decline [2][4]. Group 2: Market Structure and Strategy - The sales structure shows that physical stores accounted for 76.6% of total sales, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points, while online sales and overseas markets saw increases, highlighting significant growth in online and international business despite volatility in the mainland China market [3][4]. - NITORI's international expansion strategy includes opening 54 new stores overseas in the fiscal year 2024, with 23 of those in mainland China, indicating a focus on international growth despite domestic challenges [8][9]. Group 3: Operational Adjustments - NITORI plans to adjust its store opening strategy in mainland China, aiming for a more rational approach by focusing on smaller, high-yield locations and enhancing product offerings to improve sales per square meter [11][12]. - The company is also revising its supply chain management to reduce costs and improve efficiency, indicating a proactive approach to adapt to changing market conditions [11][12]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - NITORI's performance is contrasted with that of MUJI, which has seen significant growth in health and beauty product sales, suggesting that NITORI may be lagging in product innovation and market appeal [15][16]. - The company is entering the saturated home appliance market, which poses risks given the lack of growth potential in this sector, highlighting a strategic shift that may not align with market trends [18][19]. Group 5: Digital Transformation - NITORI is focusing on enhancing its internal IT systems to support operational efficiency, with plans to increase its IT workforce and improve digital capabilities, reflecting a commitment to modernizing its business processes [21][23]. - The company emphasizes the importance of cultivating a skilled workforce capable of leveraging digital tools, which is crucial for achieving long-term strategic goals [24][26].