An Average of Over 700 Daily Visitors
Japan-Exclusive Menus Like "Yakgwa Cream Latte" Gain Popularity
Hollys announced on May 7 that it has surpassed a cumulative total of 300,000 visitors in Japan just one year after entering the market. This means that more than 700 customers have visited Hollys each day on average.
Hollys decided to enter Japan as a bridgehead for its global expansion and opened its 'Namba Marui' store in Osaka on May 1 last year. In March this year, it opened its second store in Honmachi, the business center of Osaka.
Japan, which has a unique cafe culture centered around kissaten, is considered the largest coffee market in Asia. It is also notoriously known as a challenging market for Korean cafe franchises.
Hollys explained that the key to its popularity in Japan was its operational strategy that combined Korean cafe culture with Japanese trends. A Hollys representative said, "We maintained the Korean cafe culture, which encompasses menus, spaces, and services, but introduced menus that reflect Japanese preferences and trends, infused with a uniquely Korean sensibility. This seems to be the reason we have been loved over the past year." The representative added, "The interior, which recreates the bright and vibrant atmosphere of Hollys stores in Korea, as well as the open feeling that allows customers to enjoy the plaza view through large windows, also received high praise from Japanese customers." Features such as a photo zone utilizing Hollys' mascot Hollybear, various types of seating, and wireless chargers were also cited as factors that increased satisfaction among Japanese consumers.
Osaka-exclusive menus and signature items have also driven popularity. In particular, the 'Yakgwa Cream Latte,' which was introduced as a Japan-exclusive menu item using the traditional Korean confection Yakgwa at the opening of the Namba Marui store, has become the third most popular item after Americano and Cafe Latte, establishing itself as a signature menu for Hollys' Japanese stores.
Hollys plans to expand its presence in the Japanese market by opening new stores this year. The company aims to further solidify its status as a K-premium cafe by launching menus and merchandise that reflect Japanese trends.
Lee Jonghyun, CEO of KG F&B, which operates Hollys, stated, "Thanks to the tremendous support from Japanese consumers, Hollys Namba Marui has become a symbolic store that has successfully introduced Korean premium cafe culture to Japan, going beyond being just a cafe." He added, "Going forward, Hollys will continue to provide Japanese consumers with special experiences through ongoing upgrades to our menus and services, and will strive to spread Korean cafe culture throughout Japan."
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