"Comfort"

Joined Kinokuniya Bookstore Co., Ltd. in 2007. Worked as a store staff member and store manager at Shinjuku Minami store, Musashi Kosugi store, Seibu Higashi Totsuka SC store, etc. Became current position in January 2023. Involved in new store openings and renovation of existing stores in Japan.

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In an age where you can shop without visiting a store, brick-and-mortar stores are being asked to provide new value to attract customers. Although people have different perceptions of "comfort," I believe that it is one of the important elements that brick-and-mortar stores of the future must have in order to be attractive spaces. I hope to come across some fun ideas that will make customers want to visit.

Born in 1973 in Aichi Prefecture. He spent about 10 years at a design firm building his career in branding and store design for apparel brand shops, department stores, and restaurants. He joined Alpen in 2005 and was responsible for multiple projects including store innovation and new store development. He was manager of the newly established VMD department in 2016 and general manager of the newly established Store Planning department in 2018, before assuming his current position in 2022. He is currently working hard every day as an executive in charge of store opening strategies, store investment plans, store design and planning supervision, and existing store maintenance and management.

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We live in a fast-paced world with environmental changes, an aging society, and the COVID-19 pandemic, but brick-and-mortar stores are still alive and fun. For us at the Alpen Group, brick-and-mortar stores are where we started, and we continue to increase the number of our stores and sales floor space. I think "comfort" is a very good, simple theme. At the same time, it is difficult because of its simplicity. We look forward to hearing your ideas from a variety of perspectives and approaches.

Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1973. Joined UNITED ARROWS in 2004. Was responsible for internal and external PM work for the renovation of new stores such as UNITED ARROWS, BEAUTY & YOUTH, and DRAWER, and was also in charge of business development such as apartment renovation and furniture sales.

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I would like to see a store design that is highly feasible and that harmonizes architectural style with innovative ideas. I think that a comfortable atmosphere and environmental friendliness are important points. I am looking forward to seeing your new ideas!

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1983, he joined Cainz Co., Ltd. in 2006. He started his career at the Cainz Isesaki store, and after serving as store manager and working at headquarters, he was appointed to his current position in 2017. He is in charge of the interior design of new stores and fully renovated stores, and currently serves as the head of the design planning group.

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What we are hoping for from the "NEXSTO - Next Generation Store Idea Contest 2023" is a feasible design that incorporates new ideas and technologies that will make shopping an even more exciting experience. We look forward to receiving your ideas. Thank you.

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1970. Joined the company in 1989. Obtained an MBA in 2016. Became Director and executive officer in April 2022. After working in sales positions such as store manager and area manager at KFC, he is in charge of product development, corporate planning, purchasing, marketing CMO, and sales strategy. As the head of the development department (operations development, store development, construction facilities) who understands the field, he has contributed to business growth by developing new formats, etc. He has received various awards from KFC Asia region and globally. As part of the company-wide promotion of digital transformation, he has formulated a store tech roadmap and is promoting its implementation.

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"Shall we eat out today?" This phrase evokes many emotions in people. Choosing a dish or brand is also exciting. Even with advances in digital advertising, e-commerce, and technology, the value provided by physical stores can only be cultivated through the store experience. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the environment, Japan's aging population and declining labor force continue unabated. Even in businesses with physical stores, it is necessary to secure profits while improving CX and employee satisfaction (EX) by making full use of technology and delusions and fantasies. We are looking forward to this contest's ideas for next-generation stores that can be realized with a customer-first approach.

Joined the company in 2006. Mainly works in construction management related to new store openings.

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I truly look forward to participating in the Next Generation Store Idea Contest to discover how "comfort" is perceived, which is made up of multiple elements, who it means, and what form it can take.

Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1980. Joined Workman in 2003. After working as a store manager, supervisor, and in the Merchandising Department, she was transferred to the New Business Development Department, the predecessor of her current department. She was involved in the launch of all of the company's new store formats, such as "WORKMAN Plus," "#Workman Girls," and "WORKMAN Shoes" in shopping centers, and was responsible for the interior design, fixtures, and product lineup.

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As society changes, customers no longer look for just products or services in stores, but are now looking for satisfaction in the shopping experience itself. We believe that a major factor in achieving that satisfaction is "comfort," which is the theme of this year. We look forward to hearing your ideas for how to make shopping in-store a more "comfortable" experience.

Originally from Hokkaido. After graduating from graduate school, he started his career at an Architectural Design company, and after gaining experience in design and construction management at a general contractor, an interior design company, and as a freelancer, he joined the Royal Group in 2014. He is involved in store construction-related work for new store openings, renovations, and closures for multiple brands within the group, including specialty stores, airports, highway service areas/parking areas, hospitals, workplace cafeterias, and department stores. Most recently, he has been involved in supporting construction work for the hotel business, constructing experimental stores for the store DX project, and participating in new businesses as the store construction manager for the domestic expansion of overseas brands.

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The theme for this year, "comfort," is one that is particularly important in real stores, especially in this day and age when virtual stores are popping up one after another. How to express this element and make customers feel that way is an extremely difficult theme, as there are many constraints in reality and it is also subjective, but because this is an idea contest, I am looking forward to seeing some truly eye-opening proposals.

After graduating from the Department of Architecture at Musashino Art University, he worked at an architectural firm before joining Drop (formerly Trinity Arts) in 2007, and has been in his current position since 2015. His main duties are involved in new store openings, renovations, and maintenance of existing stores both in Japan and overseas for Adastria and other group companies. He plans the brand's design concept, strengthens the brand through interior design, and is responsible for management work within the department.

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Having experienced restrictions on our movements, I feel happy to be able to meet people, walk around town, go to restaurants, and go shopping every day. I look forward to hearing your straightforward ideas about the kind of space you would feel comfortable in. I look forward to seeing proposals from a variety of perspectives, including new design proposals, the use of technology, and stores that are conscious of sustainability.

Born in 1972 in Shizuoka Prefecture. In 1996, five members founded "EXIT METAL WORK SUPPLY" and started from the origin of craftsmanship. They specialized in iron furniture, from design to production, and later expanded their scope to spatial design. In 2002, they became independent and established LINE-INC., an office that focuses on spatial design, where they continue to this day.

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What have you lost and what have you had to endure during the COVID-19 pandemic? Conversely, have you really gained anything or experienced anything good? What kind of post-COVID-19 brick-and-mortar store can we expect to be able to do because of this era? A new era is beginning. What does *comfort* mean to you? What kind of *comfort* do you want to provide to your loved ones and the people around you? Feel free to think of it. What kind of brick-and-mortar store can provide new *comfort* in the new era? We look forward to your ideas. Let's make such a store a reality together.

Born in New York State, USA. Graduated from the Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University. At the age of 15, he developed his first program and built a user-generated media. At the age of 19, while still in college, he started his own company, which is now in its 17th year. Graduated from the University The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Technology Management, Global Consumption Intelligence Endowed Course / Matsuo Laboratory (GCI 2019 Winter). Graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management, a business school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, where he completed the course "Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy". In 2019 and 2020, he was selected as the best web analyst (Best of the Best) in Japan for two consecutive years out of 37,000 people, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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What we hope for from the Next Generation Store Idea Contest is new ways to use AI. We are researching general-purpose artificial intelligence, and we believe that in the future, various AIs will be used in stores. On the other hand, we also hope that in the future, technology will not be used for technology's sake, but that people will be at the center. Our mission is to pursue what humanity has never achieved before, and our vision is to be glad to be born. We hope to meet applicants who have ideas that can achieve this mission and vision.

After studying interior design, he participated in the establishment of "EXIT metal work supply," a design studio with a workshop.
He devoted himself to designing and producing store fixtures for four years. After going independent as a designer, he founded Jamo Associates in 2000 with interior stylist Chinatsu Kanbayashi (currently Studio Early Birds). In response to various requests, he creates beautiful spaces with a vast array of ideas, precise calculations, humor, and a pursuit of functionality based on his vast experience, as well as a natural sense of balance that pays attention to every detail.

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After such a long period of restrictions on our activities, I think our sense of "comfort" has changed significantly. Now that we can go outside without masks, I think this is a good theme that I would like to reconsider. I look forward to seeing intuitive and free ideas emerge.

Born in 1972 in Wakayama Prefecture. Joined Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. in 1995. After working in residential development and secondment to the Japan Business Federation, he was in charge of commercial facility development in urban areas, commercial facility management in the Kansai area, and suburban commercial Leasing. Since 2022, he has been part of the DX Headquarters, where he is responsible for digital response and the construction of an omni-channel platform to create new value for commercial facilities.

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As the post-COVID era takes hold and lifestyles and work styles continue to diversify, I believe the environment surrounding stores will be in a period of major change. The role that stores can play is becoming more important, as they must consider how to accommodate the diversifying values of customers and how to provide values that customers may not be aware of. At this event by Tanseisha, I look forward to encountering some mind-blowing ideas that will shatter conventional wisdom in the industry.

Born in Kyoto in 1977. Kobe University MBA Fellow. Joined JR West in 2000 and has been involved in the development and operation of shopping centers (SCs) ever since. Developed "Lucua 1100" as Project Leader from 2013 to 2015, and was appointed as the operation manager upon its opening. Created hits such as "Baltica," and assumed his current position in July 2022. Currently serves as SC development manager for the entire JR West Group, and oversees development and Operation Consulting for domestic and overseas SC developers. MBA, SC management consultant, part-time lecturer at Hannan University, member of the Japan Society for Distribution Studies. Serialized in "What makes popular stores different!" (Tabelog Magazine).

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With the advancement of ICT and the spread of OMO, the value of tangible things is relatively increasing. What should the next generation of stores be like, maximizing the value they can provide in the real world? And what kind of OMO flow plans and mechanisms will maximize the moving experiences of customers as the real world and digital worlds are integrated? We look forward to logical, innovative ideas that are not constrained by conventional stereotypes and that maximize the benefits for customers and businesses.

After joining the company in 1988, he began his career in restaurant design. After working on spatial Direction for fashion buildings and commercial complexes, as well as large-scale exhibition pavilions overseas, in 2015 Direction the design of Tanseisha's new Shinagawa headquarters. In addition to spatial design for offices and hotels, he continues to take on a wide range of challenges across fields, including designing the 2020 series Denentoshi Line carriages. In recent years, he has been involved in the Wako Watch & Jewelry Square project, which has won awards such as the MUSE Design Awards 2021 (USA) and the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022 (Germany).

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This is the third Next Generation Store Idea Contest. This year's theme is "comfort". Living in a modern age surrounded by various challenges, what kind of comfort do we feel, when, where, and how? Why not express through space the comfort you feel, be it the comfort you feel together, the comfort you feel alone, or the comfort you think of while coexisting with the challenges of the modern age?

Joined Tanseisha in 1999. Since then, he has been involved in creating spaces in a wide range of fields as a sales representative, and participated in the launch of the Cross Media Incubate Center (now Cross Media Innovation Headquarters) in 2017. He regards space as a "media for experience" and practices design engineering that transcends fields with the theme of "space x technology." He is currently working to create spaces that contribute to corporate and regional branding and social innovation by creating moving experiences.

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With the evolution of technology, the speed of social change is accelerating year by year, and the role required of space is also changing rapidly with the times. Even though the role changes, we are looking forward to seeing works that make the most of the characteristics of space, such as the live feeling that only a space can provide and the large amount of information that can be conveyed through the five senses. Let's take a glimpse of the future of space together with the judges and applicants!