Building consumer-oriented business

In line with economic development in Asia and other emerging regions and nations, many countries are witnessing growth in the middle class and seeing rapid changes in the consumer demand structure. Consumer demand is also changing in Japan, increasingly influenced by the long-term trend of a declining and graying population. In the Retail Business Unit, we are responding to these global changes by developing business that is closely aligned with today's markets and consumers.

Leveraging group resources in overseas growth markets

In overseas growth markets, applying our knowhow in product development, technology, quality control, logistics and other areas that we have developed in Japan, we use our comprehensive capabilities to engineer businesses that contribute to safe and stable food supply and enhanced consumer convenience together with group companies.

Activities in each business field

The Retail Business Unit is globally engaged in business operations that integrate manufacturing, distribution and retailing in such areas as food, fashion and lifestyle.

In Japan, we maintain a national distribution network centered on Mitsui & Co. Retail Group, Ltd. This network serves as a link between retailers and foreign and domestic food producers. We also have a particularly strong business relationship with Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd., providing their convenience stores and supermarket chains with efficient operations and food loss reduction from a commercial and logistics perspective in Japan and overseas. In overseas business, we operate a product planning and manufacturing business for processed oil and fat products and delicatessen products and food wholesaling in the United States. In fashion, we are operating a planning and production business for apparel and accessories (OEM), and a retailing and brand management business in Japan and overseas.