Weak yen puts buying directly from Japan back in vogue ... Hanjin offers 50% off shipping in November

[Financial News] HootTown, Hanjin’s overseas shopping platform, is offering discounts of up to 50% on shipping fees for overseas purchases throughout November, as the year-end shopping season gets underway. 
According to the logistics industry on the 4th, Hanjin is holding “HootTown Black Friday Week” this month through its overseas shopping platform, HootTown, offering discounts of 10% to 50% on shipping fees for purchases from major countries including Japan, the United States and China, depending on the item. 
The promotion was arranged after demand for package forwarding of Japanese character goods, electronics and other products surged toward the end of last year, while the weak yen also boosted related spending. 
Demand for package forwarding was particularly strong toward the end of last year, especially for character products from Japan. HootTown compared its package-forwarding figures from October 15 to December 31 last year with those from the immediately preceding period (July 31 to October 14). The number of shipments of Sanrio character products rose 679%. Shipments of Pokémon products increased 452%, while Chiikawa goods were up 150%.
Electronics and clothing also posted increases. Package-forwarding shipments of Sony products rose 128%, while those of Apple products increased 55.5%. Nike and Adidas also rose 65.3% and 59.0%, respectively. The launch of year-end limited-edition products and brand collaborations is believed to have driven demand for overseas purchases.
Demand for purchases directly from Japan is expected to continue this year. The weak yen has made products sold in Japan more price-competitive, and global discount events, including Black Friday in November, are concentrated around this time.
Hanjin plans to select product categories with strong demand each week and provide shipping-discount codes. In the first week, discounts will apply to fashion items from brands including Nike, New Balance and Adidas; in the second week, to electronics from Apple, Sony and Google; and in the third week, to character products such as Chiikawa, Pokémon and Sanrio. In the final week, an additional promotion will cover all items. During the event, customers will also receive a daily code for 10% off shipping fees, up to KRW 50,000.
New customers who use HootTown’s “Buy It for Me” purchasing-agent service for the first time can receive a coupon for 50% off shipping fees. HootTown is also running a special promotion featuring childcare, automotive and household goods.
A HootTown representative said, “With the prolonged weak-yen trend coinciding with the year-end global discount season, demand for overseas purchases is surging, particularly for Japanese character goods and limited-edition tech products.” The representative added, “We hope consumers will be able to find the popular overseas products they want in the most affordable and convenient way through ‘HootTown Black Friday Week.’”
[email protected] Lee Ju-mi Reporter