APiTA, one of the top four Japanese department store giants, will officially enter the Chinese mainland market, following the establishment of its first overseas branch in Hong Kong in 2007.

According to reports from Japan's Kyodo News, Japanese department store company Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings has announced plans to open its second outlet in Tianjin at the end of 2010 or in spring of 2011.

According to reports in local media, Shanghai Meilongzhen Isetan department store will be re-launched as a lifestyle department store that is to open in 2010.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. has announced that, because of a continuous decline in performance, the company will close its Shanghai Huating store in November 2008.