The key success factors(KSFs) in the Japanese marketplace is that Levi’s have successfully implemented the localization strategy.
As Japan is such a country that the consumption of the world’s luxury goods maintain in the first place.Many brands in Japan have a strong tendency. So if one product want to sell successfully in Japan, it must modify to meet the Japanese local needs and preferences. And they don’t mind whether the price is expensive or not.
Hence Levi’s success is also due to the localization strategy. Levi’s is a great mix with the Japanese environment.
Levi’s opened a corporation under a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan at the time when Levi’s entrance was considered impossible. They make the products to meet the Japanese people’s body size because the Asian people are more fitter than Americans. And all the products are produced by Japanese people. Furthermore, Levi’s products in Japanese was taking in high-end line which attract a lot of fashion people to buy.
The Bicentennial in the mid 1970s created a large demand for American goods and American Culture.
During the mid-1980’s jeans grew because of the changing trends or Japanese adolescence. Casual wear and leisure time became more popular during this time period.
The Decade after this the market for jeans shrunk.
Levi Strauss moved into Japan in 1991
Japan was already a competitive market with brands like Edwin, Big John, Bobson, Wrangler and Lee already there
Denim in seen as premium fashion item
In the beginning Levi Strauss used specialty stores to sell merchandise.
Because of the premium image denim was priced significantly higher than it was in the United States.
By selling in small urban specialty stores Levi Strauss had an image of high quality .
All other brands were sold in specialty stores as well so Levi Strauss never lost when compared with their competition.
Later National Chains began to pop up in