Pentax: shift to online marketing & sales and workshop approach to production is global, not limited to Japan

According to Ricoh’s strategy as presented during the recent investors meeting on March 3rd the use of the Internet to connect directly with customers and the workshop approach to production are a global strategy, not an approach limited to Japan:

“Relaunching camera business: Become valuable brand by connecting directly with customers through digital communications and workshop approach to production”

“As we recently announced, we made a fresh start for our camera business by consolidating it within Ricoh Imaging. We will make the brand more valuable by using digital communications to connect directly with customers and by taking a workshop approach to production.”

Sources:

• Progress Update on Medium-to-Long-Term Outlook and the 20th Mid-Term Management Plan (page #6)
• Progress Update on 20th MTP with script (includes also the presentation text)

Note the emphasis put on the J limited initiative in the iconography.

As a side note, we also learn that Ricoh has put an end to the Vecnos venture, the subsidiary that marketed 360° consumer cameras under the IQUI brand.

“The Vecnos business suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused travel opportunities to plummet. This situation forced a major review of that business, resulting in a decision to shut it down.”

Previous coverage of the Ricoh camera business restructuring can be found here:

Correction from Ricoh US: “Ricoh will continue mass production and sales but will be adding more direct-to-consumer approaches to its distribution in Japan”

Correction from Ricoh US: “Ricoh will continue mass production and sales but will be adding more direct-to-consumer approaches to its distribution in Japan”

Ricoh Japan clarifies the upcoming camera business restructuring