Clients

When Apple wanted to open its first international store in Tokyo's Ginza district, the project team asked Aisonne to advise them as they prepared to open. Many market experts told the team that they would need to change many aspects of the already successful Apple Store to suit the Japanese market, from service standards to store design. Based on our previous work for Apple, we knew that for the Apple Store to succeed in Japan, it was essential that they stay on brand and not give up their superior points of difference in order to "fit in" with existing market expectations for big box electronic retail. The Ginza location had been hotly contested, with a number of luxury brands vocally opposed to an electronics manufacturer "invading" their Chuo-dori domain. Apple went on to show that it is far more than an electronics retailer, setting records for total sales and average per transaction that any Ginza super brand would envy.

For Apple Computer Japan and Apple Computer, assisted in the recruiting, screening and placement of over 150 Apple Solution Consultants at large electronics retailers across Japan. A key component of then-COO Tim Cook's trade marketing strategy, Apple Solution Consultants represented Apple at retail before the advent of the Apple Store. We worked with Apple Japan sales and HR, recruiting agencies and Apple Computer recruiting and training professionals to select, train and place Apple's early retail sales "face" in Japan.

For Columbia Sportswear, advised team on management and consistent branding of their diverse sales environments at retail in Japan.

For Culture & Commerce, a leading design and licensing agency,, assisted in screening and selection of final licensee candidate for Fred Segal Japan; identified and introduced Japan licensee for Material ConneXion Tokyo.

For The Gap, worked directly with founder Don Fisher to create business plan and prepare for the first direct entry into the Japanese market by an American fashion retailer. After reviewing several partner candidates, Gap made the strategic decision to enter the Japan market directly, making it the first American apparel retailer to do so.

For J-Phone / Vodafone, created retail plan for $7B revenue retail operations and against original project estimate of $200MM, managedrebranding of 2000 J-Phone stores to Vodafone stores for less than $30MM and in under 6 weeks.

For Levi Strauss Japan, we advised on development of their first directly owned and operated retail stores. With the growth of private label brands, Levi's launched its own owned-and-operated Original Levi's Stores. We assisted LSJ in the development and execution of their OLS strategy for Japan and supported the opening of their first owned-and-operated store in Osaka.

For Nordstrom, advised on management of a Nordstrom-owned brand distributed at Seibu Department Stores in Japan.

For Mitsui Fudosan USA's San Francisco Office, provided market and real estate research services.

Advised leading Urban Development company on redevelopment of Minato Mirai 32 and a new entertainment and hospitality development in Yokohama's inner harbor area.