Buy second-hand items at BOOKOFF
What is the process for buying second-hand gear at BOOKOFF? During the peak season, BOOKOFF SUPER BAZZAR stores set up a snow gear section, where you can often find great bargains. When you're in such a situation, what you're most likely wondering about when it comes to ski bindings is likely to be your first concern
"All staff at our ski and snowboard stores are SBB-certified in binding installation and adjustment, so we can check for looseness in the bindings. We also adjust the binding pressure to suit the customer. However, we don't buy bindings alone or handle skis by themselves. We only sell used skis with bindings.
When we hand them over, we also maintain and wax the soles. In fact, our staff work hard in the backroom (outdoors) of the store to take care of each and every ski! (laughs)"
Accessories are among the most popular purchases. Goggles and gloves are reasonably priced, so they may be recommended for beginners at BOOKOFF. Compared to skis and boots, new models are easy to come by at reasonable prices, and there is a wide selection of popular brands. However, because they sell out quickly, they are usually gone by the time you visit the store again. If you come across a bargain, you'll regret it if you don't buy it right away
Goggles and gloves also sell extremely well to family skiers, whose children often grow larger as they grow. Because they are essential items, the store tries to keep them stocked at all times. They encourage customers to sell as much as possible and are conscious of buying as much as possible so as not to miss out on a purchase. BOOKOFF also manufactures original products on an OEM basis and sells them as new. This is quite surprising
"For those entering the event, we want to create a one-stop service environment where they can come to BOOKOFF and find everything they need. Being able to prepare easily, conveniently, affordably and comfortably is also important for increasing motivation to go skiing."
In recent years, there have been many negative things, such as a decline in the number of skiers, little snow, and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we want people to try skiing, discover how fun it is, and continue. So, first of all, we want to encourage people who want to try skiing to come to our store, and to do so, we want to create an environment where we have a certain amount of products available."
BOOKOFF's vision of a "no-throwaway society"
What is the thinking behind BOOKOFF's decision to focus on the reuse business of skis and snowboards?
Our mission is to "create a society that doesn't waste anything"
"First of all, we need to increase the number of users in the industry as a whole, but behind this is the fact that buying and selling secondhand goods is a strength unique to Japan. As can be seen from the existence of secondhand goods dealer licenses, buying and selling secondhand goods in Japan has a long history and is very common. It could even be said that Japan is a country that is rare in the world in that it has no aversion to buying and selling secondhand goods. Precisely because Japan is a country where the concepts of reuse and recycling are relatively widespread, I think it would be interesting if we could further revitalize the industry and make products more popular with a wider range of people, and that could spark a major movement
The reuse market is growing rapidly in Japan right now. C2C services like Mercari are also on the rise, and the flow of goods is changing rapidly. So for B2C businesses like ours, from companies to customers, BOOKOFF's mission is to make use of our 800 brick-and-mortar stores to ensure that goods are passed on to the next person, thereby aiming to create a "society without waste."
■ BOOKOFF's "attitude" in the transition to a society that doesn't throw away (a recycling-oriented society)
To achieve our mission
The brand "from JAPAN"
"BOOKOFF now has stores overseas, including one in Malaysia, and about 10 in the US. It has also recently expanded into Kazakhstan, with two stores open there. 'From JAPAN' is really popular right now. Since many products are made in China, it's not 'Made in' but 'From JAPAN'. This has created a status where people can feel safe using the products because they have been used by Japanese people. For example, there are a lot of figures, anime, comics and Cool Japan products coming from Japan
Items that have not been sold in Japan and have been discarded are now being sent to Malaysia, where they are proving to be a big hit. They are being operated under the name "Jalan Jalan Japan," a reuse store
We don't buy back baby products, clothes, stuffed toys, and other items that didn't sell in Japan, so there really isn't a shortage of goods. Kazakhstan's main products are winter goods. It's at the same latitude as Hokkaido, so it's cold, and heavy clothing and winter items sell really well. As an extreme example, skis from 10 or 20 years ago sell really well
However, there is no Olympia in Kazakhstan yet. That may depend on the country's strength, but I really want to bring an Olympia from Kazakhstan. I want so many people to get involved that it becomes a story of how someone was able to aim for the Olympics because of a second-hand book they bought at BOOKOFF. I really want to increase the number of people involved."