ANA Group is expanding its retail business beyond airports after its trading subsidiary agreed to acquire 100% of Japanese lifestyle brand AKOMEYA TOKYO from The SAZABY LEAGUE.
ANA Holdings announced the agreement on September 15, with the transaction expected to close by October 30, 2026, subject to approval from the Japan Fair Trade Commission.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The deal gives ANA Trading an established urban retail network centred on Japanese food and lifestyle products, complementing a business that until now has been heavily concentrated around airports.
ANA moves beyond airport-focused retail
ANA Trading operates businesses spanning aviation services, retail, electronics, food and digital services.
Its existing retail network includes ANA FESTA regional gift stores and licensed Starbucks locations across 25 airports in Japan, as well as duty-free operations at Tokyo Haneda and Narita airports.
The acquisition of AKOMEYA TOKYO gives the company a considerably larger presence outside the airport environment.
ANA Trading plans to combine its existing distribution network and experience in airport retail with AKOMEYA TOKYO’s merchandising, store development and brand management capabilities.
“Combining AKOMEYA TOKYO’s store creation expertise with our distribution channels will elevate our business to a new growth stage,” said Junichiro Miyagawa, President and CEO of All Nippon Airways Trading.
AKOMEYA TOKYO operates 38 stores in Japan
AKOMEYA TOKYO is a Japanese lifestyle retail brand built around rice, home cooking and regional food culture.
Its stores sell rice varieties sourced from across Japan alongside products such as dashi broth, seasonings, side dishes, tableware and cookware.
The retailer has developed its business around direct relationships with Japanese growers and producers, with product provenance and craftsmanship playing a central role in its merchandising strategy.
As of September 15, AKOMEYA TOKYO operates 38 retail stores, primarily in the Tokyo area, along with two AKOMEYA Shokudo restaurants and an online store.
The brand is currently owned by The SAZABY LEAGUE, the Japanese retail group behind brands including Afternoon Tea and agete.
AKOMEYA TOKYO brand to remain
ANA Trading does not plan to replace the AKOMEYA TOKYO identity following the acquisition.
The retailer will continue operating under its existing brand and management after the transaction is completed.
The acquisition instead gives ANA Group an opportunity to combine two different retail networks: ANA Trading’s strong presence at Japanese airports and AKOMEYA TOKYO’s established footprint in urban locations.
The transaction represents another example of airline groups diversifying into businesses beyond passenger and cargo operations, while allowing ANA to build on retail and distribution activities already established through ANA Trading.
Completion of the acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval, with the deal currently scheduled to close by the end of October.
