Mitsukoshi evolved from Echigoya, the origin of the former Mitsui Zaibatsu. Echigoya was unusual at the time: ``no cash prices,'' ``While kimono stores at the time targeted feudal lords and rich people, Echigoya customers were ordinary people,'' and ``Rather than visiting customers and selling on credit, Echigoya an ``in front of the store sale'' to attract people to come to Echigoya store.'' `Echigoya treated even ordinary people as important customers and treated them with hospitality, such as offering them tea.'' ``At that time, it was considered natural to sell clothes which were the equivalent of one garment. Echigoya gained the support of the common people for such things as ``selling items in pieces according to the length required by the customer,'' ``being the first in Japan to create flyers to inform customers about the items for sale,'' and ``selling unsold items at a discount to the purchase price.'' The company is said to have rapidly increased sales and laid the foundation for what it is today.

The Mitsui Zaibatsu, which originated from Mitsukoshi, has since left a large mark on various industries in Japan and become the largest group in Japan. As a result. Mitsukoshi has become a high-end department store with many loyal customers, and has maintained that connection to the present day. This is why it has become a major presence known only to those rich of riches, as Mitsukoshi's home visiting sales.



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