Seibu Shibuya store bids farewell after 58 years
Despite the rain, many visited to say goodbye to the department store that has long been a symbol of the shopping and entertainment district.
Sogo & Seibu Co.'s Seibu department store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward bid farewell to the public after a 58-year tenure on Wednesday. Despite the rain, numerous customers visited the store to pay their respects to the landmark that had been a prominent fixture in Shibuya's shopping and entertainment landscape for decades. The store played a pivotal role in shaping Japan's youth culture, notably fueling the "DC brand" craze for designer labels in the 1980s.
However, recent years have been challenging for the department store, with declining revenue stemming largely from increased competition from newer commercial establishments in the area and the shift towards online shopping in response to evolving consumer preferences. A woman in her 60s, recalling her frequent visits during the DC brand boom, expressed her sadness at the store's closure.
Similarly, a man in his 60s from Kawasaki spoke fondly of the store's significant cultural contributions, stating that it made a substantial impact on the community.
Kiyoshi Kobayashi, the store's manager, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the people and the privilege of sharing the store's history with Shibuya. As a subscriber, you are now able to comment on stories; however, please ensure to create a display name in your subscriber account's Profile section before proceeding. Kindly note that your current subscription plan does not permit commenting. For further information, refer to our FAQ.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
