Japanese Retailers Head to Beijing For Olympics Rush

Two of Japan's major retailers, Isetan and Aeon, are moving into Beijing, one year ahead of the 2008 Games.

Aeon will land in Beijing's Zhongguancun with its new store open right before the Olympic Games begin. Isetan will instead go to Xidan, a bustling shopping haven west of Tiananmen Square.

In the past, Japanese department stores focused on economically developed coastal areas like Shanghai and Tianjin. However, the allure of all that spending going on while preparations are being made for the 2008 games has caused a change in strategy.

Taiwan's Shin Kong, which is 44% owned by Japan's Mitsukoshi, has also recently opened its first department store in Beijing.