Diversification helped Aoki overtake Aoyama as Japan’s top suit retailer
In the year that ended in March, Aoki's entertainment businesses contributed roughly 40% of total sales, making the segment a second pillar of the Yokohama-based company.
For decades, Aoyama Trading maintained its position as Japan's leading specialty suit retailer. However, in the fiscal year ending March 2026, the company was surpassed by Aoki Holdings in terms of consolidated sales for the first time. This shift in corporate rankings signifies more than just a change in positions for two companies based in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture and Yokohama, respectively.
It highlights how Japan's businesswear market is undergoing transformation due to factors such as a shrinking workforce, evolving office dress codes, and the need for retailers to explore new avenues for growth beyond suits.
Aoki Holdings' growth is significantly driven by its Kaikatsu Club internet cafe chain. One of its outlets, opened in January in Tokyo's Higashi-Ginza district, features rows of private booths arranged along both sides of a tranquil corridor. Each booth is a compact, cushioned room measuring just 2 or 3 square meters, designed to cater to various activities such as remote work, studying, or overnight stays.
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