The Nikkei reports that Bic Camera and Rakuten in the country to establish a joint venture. Bic Camera has a store on the Rakuten online virtual mall but the J/V is expected to lead to better customer services such as delivery as well as allowing integration with physical store inventories. The paper reports that nearly 30% of all sales of consumer electronics and appliance sales. Rakuten is expected to benefit from Bic Camera’s stores and showrooms.
Bic Camera is also said to be trying to keep up with its rival, Yodabashi Camera. Yodabashi Camera is reported to have 50% more online sales than Bic Camera at around ¥108 billion ($950 million).
