When Ralph Lauren opened his largest store in the world in Omotesando a few months ago, the interminable queues stretched down the street.
To the casual observer in Omotesando – arguably the luxury goods shopping epicentre of the world – it would seem that Japanese consumers still have an insatiable appetite for anything expensive, exclusive and imported. On weekends in Omotesando, on the main tree-lined street that is somewhat reminiscent of the Champs Elysees in Paris, well-heeled customers flock in and out of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci, arms laden with shopping bags.
