Adaptive retailing at YATA has redefined Japanese superstores in the city, and here’s a look inside the dynamic team to see how they did it.

About 1,000 colleagues work at eight YATA outlets – mostly on the sales floors – and while 60% of the merchandise is from Japan, YATA buyers travel the world from France and Australia to Taiwan and Korea looking for the best food and lifestyle products for customers in Hong Kong.

YATA has a big, busy year planned in 2017. First was a Hello Kitty-theme outlet in Sai Wan opening in February, and now the team is gearing up for a new Tseung Kwan O outlet opening in July and another in Kwai Fong by year end. It takes high energy and a constant flow of creativity to make this all happen on a tight schedule – or the power to maximize the possible within limits, in the words of Chief Executive Susanna Wong: “There was a hitch with our chain-wide semi-annual sale because the Sha Tin outlet was being renovated. But we managed to make it even bigger by renting external space.” This attitude of not being constrained by limitations has achieved considerable success and should continue leading YATA to greater triumphs.