High-priced Osechi Sales Battle Begins in Japan

The annual year-end Osechi shopping season has begun at department stores and supermarkets in Hokkaido. Osechi-ryōri are traditional Japanese New Year foods.

In Japan, the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, and more people are expected to return to their parents’ homes during the year-end and New Year’s holidays. In anticipation of this, many manufacturers are expected to introduce high-priced osechi to the market this year.

The average price of osechi products at Daimaru Department Store Sapporo, which began online reservations on September 22, was 26,000 yen, 4,000 yen higher than in 2021.

Sapporo Marui Mitsukoshi department store will sell a high-end product that combines a Japanese-style Osechi with a bottle of wine for 99,000 yen. This year, the company predicts a trend toward larger gatherings during the New Year season.

(source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO64623400W2A920C2L41000/)