# Japanese retail sector expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-retail-sector-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-17T06:16:01.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

In late September and early October 2026, several Japanese retail companies announced expansions and new store openings.

Awashimado, a confectionery manufacturer, scheduled the relocation and reopening of its store within Soka Marui in Saitama Prefecture for October 1, 2026. Concurrently, the Osaka-based discount retailer Watts announced the opening of a Watts With location in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on October 2, 2026.

By mid-October 2026, Watts Co., Ltd. continued its expansion by opening three additional locations: the Watts With Hamayama Lapita in Shimane Prefecture, the Watts With Kusatsu La Mu in Shiga Prefecture, and the Watts The Big Iwamizawa in Hokkaido. As of late September 2026, Watts Co., Ltd. reported a total of 1,931 stores nationwide.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-17: Watts Co., Ltd. opens three new retail stores across Japan

Watts Co., Ltd. expanded its Japanese retail footprint in October 2026 with three new store openings in Shimane, Shiga, and Hokkaido, bringing its national total to 1,931 locations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/watts-co-ltd-opens-three-new-retail-stores-across-japan

### 2026-09-30: Retailers Awashimado and Watts announce new store openings in Japan

Japanese retailers Awashimado and Watts have announced new store openings and relocations in Saitama and Fukushima prefectures scheduled for October 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/retailers-awashimado-and-watts-announce-new-store-openings-in-japan

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Cite as: Japanese retail sector expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-retail-sector-expansion