Key Facts
• Major department stores announced 2026 New Year’s osechi offerings.
• Rising prices have increased demand for cost-effective options.
• Online orders began weeks earlier than last year.
• Sogo & Seibu started online reservations on September 4, two weeks earlier.
• Sogo & Seibu offers a four-tier osechi for approximately ¥23,000, including shipping.
• Last year, the same price offered a three-tier osechi.
• Takashimaya began online sales on August 20, one week earlier.
• Takashimaya’s osechi prices rose by an average of 5% due to inflation.
• Customizable osechi options allow customers to adjust costs.
• Solo osechi options cater to single-person households.
• Early campaigns benefit both customers and manufacturers by easing planning.
Summary
Japanese department stores are adapting to rising costs and consumer demand for value by launching their 2026 New Year’s osechi offerings earlier than ever. Sogo & Seibu and Takashimaya have both advanced their online reservation dates, with Sogo & Seibu offering a four-tier osechi for ¥23,000, a cost-effective improvement from last year’s three-tier option. Takashimaya introduced customizable osechi and solo options to cater to diverse customer needs, despite a 5% price increase. The earlier sales campaigns not only accommodate customers planning their holidays but also help manufacturers streamline production schedules.
