Universal Music Japan last week opened a "concept retail store dedicated to supporting music super-fans" in the Harajuku district of Tokyo, which sounds like fun. Who doesn't love a "concept retail super-fan store"?
But what's the concept? Well, the Universal Music Store Harajuku "will serve as a hub for UMG artists and fans from around the world to connect offline. Spanning four curated floors, the store will feature dedicated fan experiences, product launches and retail pop-up shops. It will also offer a platform for artists to express their creative vision and share this with their fans through exciting, original and bespoke programmes of activity".
Fun times. “We are excited to welcome the new Universal Music Harajuku concept store to Tokyo’s world-famous Harajuku district, a gathering point for people, styles and culture from all over the world", says Universal Music Japan boss Naoshi Fujikura.
"This store represents an exciting new venture for UMG", he goes on, "and celebrates the incredible impact and role that fans play in supporting their favourite artists. In the coming months, the store will offer unique fan experiences for our artists, both domestic and international, creating new commercial opportunities for our artists and business".
The new store also includes a Tokyo spin-off of the Rolling Stones' London shop RS No 9 and the band are obviously "THRILLED" about that. “We’re THRILLED to bring the RS No 9 brand to Japan to support our new album", they say in a statement. “We hope our fans are excited to experience everything the store has to offer".