Ricoh Japan issued a new press release clarifying some of the camera business restructurings that were announced on January 20th (see also this post). Here is a recap:
- Ricoh is planning to gain new customers with “direct and two-way communication” and new initiatives for GR users.
- Ricoh is planning to open online stores at Amazon, Rakuten Ichiba, and others.
- Regular Pentax fan meetings and hands-on events.
- Providing small-quantity limited cameras utilizing crowdfunding.
- Reorganization of Ricoh Imaging showrooms and service bases in Japan.
Ricoh has also scheduled a Pentax SLR meeting on March 13th.
Additional information:
About the efforts of the new Ricoh Imaging system – Starting the PENTAX Co-creation Project (PCP) as the first step
Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd. will start the “PENTAX Co-Creation Project” in Japan as the first step in the new business structure announced on January 20, 2022. Through this project, Ricoh Imaging aims to increase opportunities for new customer contact points and strengthen direct and two-way communication with customers.
We are also planning various initiatives for GR as well. We will inform you about this as well, so please look forward to it.
Specific initiatives at PCP:
[Opening and sales start of new EC site]
Scheduled opening date: April 1st
Scheduled store openings: We plan to open stores in our online store and domestic Amazon, Rakuten Ichiba, and PayPay malls. We will inform you of the specific store openings as soon as they are decided.Products to be handled: In addition to the current PENTAX products, we are also considering selling limited direct sales products. We will inform you about products other than the PENTAX brand.
[Regular holding and frequency increase of events]
From the spring of 2022, we aim to hold regular PENTAX fan meetings and hands-on events that have been held irregularly until now.
・ PENTAX Meeting Online
・ Expand the area where PENTAX product experience meetings and real events are held, and increase the frequency.
* Details will be announced from the time when the outline of each event is decided.
[Providing a small-quantity limited model utilizing crowdfunding]
In order to meet the enthusiastic demands of our customers, we will start “Koubou-like manufacturing” that provides rare value with limited production.
As the first challenge, we aim to commercialize the model proposal that was the most popular in the questionnaire to fans at the online fan event “PENTAX Meeting Online 2021” held on November 27, 2021. We would like to deliver even a small amount to customers who are eager for it.
* Details will be announced when the crowdfunding project starts.
[Reorganization of Ricoh Imaging Square]
We will strengthen the function as a place to send information that connects with customers digitally. Therefore, we will review the showrooms and service bases in Japan. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers, but the current Ricoh Imaging Square Tokyo and Osaka will be open for gallery and showroom on March 28, 2022 (Monday), except for the repair reception desk. ) Will end. Regarding the repair reception desk, we will respond at the current location until the end of May (detailed schedule will be announced at a later date).
Ricoh Photo Academy, which was previously offered at Ricoh Imaging Square, will continue to be offered online and elsewhere. We will inform you about the course information at a later date.
In the future, we plan to open a new base in Tokyo around the summer of this year, which will be used as a repair reception desk while adding a function as a place to send information to connect with customers. We will inform you again when the details are decided. There is no change to the Ricoh Imaging Repair Section (East Japan / Chubu / West Japan / Kyushu) at the repair reception desk. For repair orders, please bring it to the nearest repair staff or use the pickup repair service.
We are planning several new initiatives other than the above. We will inform you in order from the one whose details have been decided.
Source: Ricoh Japan
Ricoh announces major restructuring of their camera business
