Western Japan's biggest department store to battle for potential market (2)

The 13-storey building, plus two basement floors, includes floors providing the largest selection of overseas luxury brands in western Japan. The new store also has several cultural facilities such as a 2,000-square-meter indoor arena with four floors on the higher levels. The space, open to the public for taking a break, will host exhibitions and art events. One event will be a virtual orchestra concert in which anyone wanting to be an improvisational conductor can wield a baton to set the music's tempo and give precise directions to musicians on a large screen.

The retailing company, which operates several department stores and supermarkets in Osaka and the surrounding Kansai area, is now expecting 50 million customers to come to the new store, producing gross sales that will reach 213 billion yen (about 2.66 billion U. S. dollars) in the first year.

Over the past 400 years, Osaka has preserved its reputation as a well-known commercial center. But this has largely stemmed instead from the south part of the city center, called "Minami" ( meaning "South"), which developed along the south edge of Osaka Castle, a local landmark. Major department stores have also considered the Minami district as their first choice for doing business in Osaka.

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