The challenge of a long-established tatami store that has captivated the world
A story supported by S Global, bringing traditional craftsmanship to spaces around the world Story 01: Tatami
Product and seller introduction
Founded about 100 years ago, there is a long-established company that continues to preserve the traditional Japanese art of tatami making.
One tatami manufacturing company uses the finest domestic rush grass and skilled craftsmanship to put their heart and soul into each and every tatami mat.
When you step on these tatami mats, a subtle fragrance spreads throughout the air, making them an exceptional product that brings a sense of comfort and luxury to not only Japanese-style rooms but also Western-style spaces.
The company has been supplying tatami mats to homes and inns across the country for many years, building up such a reputation that customers now say, "We have to have these tatami mats."
However, the company also harbors a quiet passion to spread its traditional techniques and ideas to the "global space."
Triggers and challenges
Faced with declining domestic demand, the company was looking for its next move.
Although we gradually received inquiries from overseas about wanting to purchase tatami mats , we had strong concerns about taking the step to expand overseas on our own.
There were many challenges to overcome: the language barrier, cultural differences, and how to convey the appeal of a traditional product like tatami to an overseas audience.
Tatami mats in particular are large and heavy products, and there were many hurdles unique to cross-border e-commerce, such as shipping and payment.
Although we were a long-established company, we did not have any staff well versed in IT or English, and we had almost given up, thinking, "It's probably impossible for a manufacturer like us to go overseas."
However, during this time, he discovered S Global , a company that specializes in cross-border e-commerce support .
After learning about S Global's track record of supporting many traditional companies struggling with overseas expansion, the company felt that "this might be a place we can entrust our aspirations to," and decided to ask for their support.
S Global's support services
S Global provided detailed sales support to bring the traditional product, tatami, to the world.
We provide the following comprehensive support so that even the company, which is new to overseas business, can get started with ease.
•Support for listing on eBay: We support opening a store on eBay, one of the world's largest marketplaces.
We provided extensive support, from account opening to product page creation, and also offered advice on selecting categories and pricing suited to the local market.
•English translation of product information: To fully convey the appeal of tatami mats, professional translators translated product titles and descriptions into English. We devised expressions that would be easy to understand and appealing to overseas customers who are unfamiliar with Japanese culture, and all inquiries and other correspondence was handled in English on our behalf.
•Negotiating with overseas buyers:
When interested overseas buyers, such as luxury hotels and interior designers, contact us, we support business negotiations and price negotiations.
We handled detailed negotiations in English, including adjusting delivery dates and discussing large orders, and led the transaction right up to completion.
•Logistics design (overseas shipping):
We created a logistics plan to ship tatami mats overseas safely and efficiently.
We proposed the optimal packaging method based on the dimensions of the tatami mats, selected a reliable international delivery company, adjusted the customs clearance procedures, and designed the delivery flow from scratch. This makes it possible to deliver tatami mats safely to customers in faraway countries.
•Photo production and promotion:
We also focused on the presentation of product photos. Rather than just taking pictures of tatami themselves, we shot scenes of tatami laid out in modern living rooms overseas and hotel rooms, promoting the concept of "tatami that brightens up space." The high-quality photos, which blended tradition and modernity, and the explanatory text with a story, made a strong impact on luxury-minded buyers overseas.
Sales Results
With this generous support, the tatami manufacturer's first foray into overseas markets produced astonishing results.
Shortly after listing your item on eBay, your product page will experience a surge in traffic from users all over the world.
The first order we received was from an interior designer working on luxury homes in Los Angeles, USA. The client wanted to incorporate a Japanese style into their home, so they purchased several tatami mats at once.
After that, we received a stream of inquiries from architects in the UK and a five-star hotel in Dubai, which led to concrete business discussions about the full-scale introduction of tatami mats.
In fact, a hotel in Dubai adopted the company's tatami mats for the tea-ceremony-style suite rooms, and the wealthy local guests praised them highly, saying, "This is the first time I've had such a special experience." As a result, tatami mat sales overseas have reached several dozens in the six months since the start of the business, and overseas sales are becoming a new pillar of the company's business.
We are currently receiving orders and inquiries from all over the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and our overseas expansion continues smoothly.
💬Customer testimonials
"To be honest, at first I was only worried about selling tatami mats overseas.
However, S Global accompanied me carefully and I was able to leave everything to them with peace of mind, from listing on eBay to arranging shipping .
When we received our first order from Los Angeles, I was so surprised and overwhelmed. Furthermore, when I heard a word of thanks from a hotel in Dubai saying, "Thanks to tatami, they have created a one-of-a-kind space," I was so glad that I had continued making tatami for so many years that I was brought to tears.
"S Global is not just a sales support company, but a strong partner who supports our traditions and challenges together." (CEO of a long-established tatami manufacturer)
Message
This story shows that Japanese manufacturing is accepted around the world as a product of definite value.
There are many buyers around the world who are serious about products that are beautiful, skilled, and have a story to tell .
And now the need is certainly growing.
Overseas sales are not just for special companies.
As a company with "attractive products," there is a market that it must reach.
At S Global, we handle everything from creating sales pages to listing, negotiations, shipping, and branding.
We support your overseas expansion in a consistent and easy-to-understand way.
Now it's time to share your company's story with the world.
"We want to deliver our products to the world."
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