Luxury Retail Insights: Navigating the Job Market in Japan and South Korea for Q3 2025
- hongminglau8
- Jul 18
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 4
In our ongoing exploration of Asia's luxury retail landscape, we've journeyed through the strategic recalibration of Greater China and the dynamic growth of Southeast Asia and Oceania. This week, we conclude our regional analysis by turning to two global powerhouses: Japan and South Korea. These are not just markets; they are cultural epicentres that shape global trends while being deeply rooted in their own unique traditions.
For professionals seeking to build a career here, Japan and South Korea offer unparalleled opportunities but demand a profound understanding of their distinct consumer psyches and work cultures. Let's dive into the figures and strategies you need to succeed in Q3 2025.
The Market Landscape: A Tale of Two Titans
While geographically close, Japan and South Korea represent two very different, yet equally powerful, luxury ecosystems.
Japan: The Resurgent Giant of Quiet Luxury
Japan’s luxury market is a story of immense scale and sophisticated resilience. It is the world's third-largest luxury market, projected to reach a revenue of US$26.95 billion in 2025 and grow steadily at a rate of 3.68% annually through 2028.
Key Drivers: The single most significant factor currently is the unprecedented tourism boom, fueled by a weak yen. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 8.5 million visitors, whose spending has supercharged the luxury sector. Tourists are not just buying; they are spending big, with many brands seeing sales to foreigners double or even triple compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Consumer Insight: The domestic Japanese consumer is one of the world's most discerning. They value craftsmanship, heritage, subtlety, and impeccable service (*omotenashi*) over loud logos. This "quiet luxury" ethos means that brand knowledge and storytelling are paramount. However, brands must now master a dual strategy: catering to the refined tastes of locals while also managing the high-volume, high-value demands of international tourists.
South Korea: The Global Trendsetter of Expressive Luxury
South Korea has firmly established itself as a global trend hub, boasting the world's highest per-capita spending on luxury goods. The market is forecast to reach a revenue of US$14.60 billion in 2025.
Key Drivers: The market is driven by a potent mix of status-consciousness, a deep connection to celebrity culture (K-pop and K-drama), and a fast-paced digital ecosystem. After a period of explosive post-pandemic growth, the market is now "normalizing," but demand remains robust, particularly for high-end watches, jewelry, and exclusive "it-bags." Department stores remain the dominant sales channel, accounting for a massive share of luxury transactions.
Consumer Insight: The South Korean luxury consumer is highly trend-aware, digitally savvy, and socially influenced. A product worn by a top celebrity can sell out overnight. Exclusivity and social visibility are key motivators. There is also a growing appetite for niche fragrances and experiential luxury that offers unique, "Instagrammable" moments.
For Job Seekers: Your Guide to Breaking In and Thriving
Opportunities in these markets are abundant, but the entry barriers can be high. Success requires more than just retail experience; it demands deep cultural and professional adaptation.
What to Do & How to Do It
Master the Art of Impeccable Service (Japan): The concept of omotenashi is not a buzzword; it's a fundamental expectation. It means anticipating a client's needs before they are expressed, paying meticulous attention to every detail (from gift wrapping to bowing), and providing a serene, respectful, and deeply knowledgeable service. Training in and demonstrating this skill is non-negotiable.
Embrace the Digital & Celebrity Ecosystem (Korea): To succeed in Korea, you must understand the speed and power of its trend cycle. This means actively following key opinion leaders, understanding the influence of brand ambassadors, and being fluent in the digital platforms where trends are born and amplified. This cultural fluency is a key differentiator.
Language is Your Golden Ticket: This is the most critical point for foreign professionals.
- In Japan, business-level Japanese (ideally JLPT N2 or N1) is almost always a prerequisite for client-facing and management roles. It is essential for serving the discerning domestic clientele and for effective internal communication within a predominantly Japanese workforce.
- In South Korea, while some global brands in tourist-heavy areas may have openings for other language speakers (especially Mandarin and English), career progression and integration depend heavily on achieving proficiency in Korean (TOPIK Level 4 or higher).
Considering a Move? More Practical Steps & Suggestions
Visa and Work Permits: This is your first hurdle. Research the specific requirements meticulously. For Japan, this often means securing a "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa, which requires a sponsoring company. For South Korea, the process is equally rigorous. Start your job search with companies known for sponsoring foreign talent.
Adapt to the Work Culture: Be prepared for a significant cultural shift. Japanese workplaces emphasize group harmony (wa), consensus-building, and hierarchical respect. The Korean work culture is known for its fast pace (ppalli-ppalli or "hurry, hurry"), dynamism, and strong sense of company loyalty. Demonstrating that you understand and respect these nuances during interviews is crucial.
Network Strategically: Use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters and professionals who are specifically based in or specialize in these markets. Look for alumni from your university or previous companies who are working there and reach out for informational interviews to understand the landscape better.
For Employers: Attracting Talent in Markets of High Expectations
In Japan: To attract top local talent, emphasize stability, long-term career development, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. To serve the tourism boom, invest heavily in multilingual training for your existing Japanese staff and be open to hiring foreign talent with the right language mix and cultural adaptability.
In South Korea: Winning the talent war requires competitive compensation packages, clear status-driven career progression, and a strong, digitally-savvy employer brand. Leverage your brand's celebrity associations and modern image to attract ambitious young professionals.
The Unseen Advantage: The Role of Executive Coaching
The pressure to perform in the high-stakes, culturally nuanced markets of Japan and Korea is immense. For leaders and ambitious professionals, navigating the unique work cultures, managing cross-cultural teams, and maintaining strategic focus requires exceptional resilience and self-awareness.
This is precisely where executive coaching becomes an invaluable tool. It provides a confidential, strategic partnership to help you decode complex cultural dynamics, enhance your leadership presence, and build the confidence to make bold decisions. At Trouvé Executive, our ICF-accredited Executive Coaching service is designed to equip you with these very skills, providing a critical support system as you navigate your career in these demanding yet rewarding markets.
Japan and South Korea represent the pinnacle of luxury retail in many ways—demanding excellence but offering immense rewards. Success is reserved for those who are willing to invest deeply in understanding the culture, learning the language, and respecting the unique values that define each market.
Conclusion
This concludes our Q3 2025 tour of Asia's luxury markets. We hope this series has been insightful. What other regions or specific topics in the world of luxury retail would you like us to explore next? Let us know in the comments!
If you found this article valuable, please like, share, and comment. To explore a collaboration or book a confidential executive coaching session, please visit our website at www.trouve-executive.com.
潮流與傳統的巨擘：深入解讀2025年第三季日本與韓國奢侈品就業市場
在我們持續探索亞洲奢侈品零售版圖的旅程中，我們已走過了大中華區的策略性調整，以及東南亞與大洋洲的蓬勃發展。本星期，我們將為這個區域性分析畫上句點，聚焦於兩個全球性的重量級市場：日本與韓國。它們不僅是市場，更是文化的核心，在深深植根於自身獨特傳統的同時，亦塑造著全球的潮流。
對於期望在此建立事業的專業人士而言，日本和韓國提供了無與倫比的機遇，但同時也要求對其獨特的消費心態和職場文化有深刻的理解。讓我們深入探討您在2025年第三季取得成功所需的數據和策略。
市場格局：兩大巨擘的故事
儘管地理位置相近，但日本和韓國代表著兩個截然不同，卻同樣強大的奢侈品生態系統。
日本（靜奢的復興巨人）： 日本的奢侈品市場是一個關於龐大規模和精緻韌性的故事。作為全球第三大奢侈品市場，預計其在2025年的收入將達到 269.5億美元，並在2028年前以每年3.68%的速度穩定增長。
- 主要驅動力： 目前最顯著的單一因素，是由日元疲弱所帶動的 前所未有的旅遊業熱潮。僅在2025年第一季度，日本便迎來了破紀錄的850萬名遊客，他們的消費為奢侈品行業注入了強大動力。遊客不僅僅是購物，更是大額消費，許多品牌對外國人的銷售額，甚至比疫情前水平增加了一倍甚至兩倍。
- 消費者洞察： 本地的日本消費者是世界上最挑剔的客群之一。他們重視 工藝、傳統、含蓄，以及無可挑剔的服務（*omotenashi*），而非響亮的品牌標誌。這種「靜奢」（Quiet Luxury）的理念，意味著對品牌的知識和故事的演繹至關重要。然而，品牌現在必須掌握一種雙軌策略：既要迎合本地顧客的精緻品味，也要應對國際遊客大批量、高價值的需求。
韓國（表現式奢華的全球潮流引領者）： 韓國已穩固地確立了其作為全球潮流中心的地位，並擁有全球最高的人均奢侈品消費額。預計該市場在2025年的收入將達到 146億美元。
- 主要驅動力： 市場由 地位意識、與名人文化（K-pop和韓劇）的緊密聯繫，以及節奏明快的數碼生態系統 等強大因素混合驅動。在經歷了疫情後爆炸性的增長後，市場現正「回復正常」，但需求依然強勁，特別是在高端腕錶、珠寶和獨家的「IT bag」方面。百貨公司仍然是主要的銷售渠道，佔據了奢侈品交易的巨大份額。
- 消費者洞察： 韓國的奢侈品消費者對潮流高度敏感、精通數碼科技，並且深受社交影響。一件由頂級名人穿戴過的產品，可能在一夜之間售罄。獨特性和社交曝光度是關鍵的消費動機。此外，市場對小眾香水和能提供獨特、「可打卡」（Instagrammable）時刻的體驗式奢侈品的需求也日益增長。
求職者指南：如何打入市場並茁壯成長
這些市場的機遇雖然豐富，但入行的門檻可能很高。成功不僅需要零售經驗，更要求深度的文化和專業適應能力。
致勝之道
掌握無可挑剔的服務藝術（日本）： 「誠心款待」（omotenashi）並非一個潮流術語，而是一項基本期望。它意味著在客戶提出需求前便預測到他們的需要，對每個細節（從禮品包裝到鞠躬）都一絲不苟，並提供一種寧靜、尊重且充滿深度知識的服務。接受相關培訓並展示這種技能是沒有商量餘地的。
擁抱數碼與名人文化生態（韓國）： 要在韓國取得成功，您必須理解其潮流週期的速度和力量。這意味著要積極追蹤關鍵意見領袖（KOL）、理解品牌大使的影響力，並能流利地運用那些誕生和放大潮流的數碼平台。這種文化觸覺是一個關鍵的差異化優勢。
語言是您的黃金入場券： 這是對海外專業人士最關鍵的一點。
- 在 日本，商業級別的日語（理想情況下為日本語能力試驗JLPT N2或N1級別）幾乎是所有面向客戶和管理職位的先決條件。這對於服務挑剔的本地客戶，以及在以日本人為主的團隊中進行有效內部溝通至關重要。
- 在 韓國，雖然一些設於遊客熱點地區的國際品牌可能會有聘請其他語言使用者（特別是普通話和英語）的職位空缺，但事業發展和融入團隊在很大程度上取決於您是否能掌握流利的韓語（TOPIK 4級或以上）。
考慮移居當地？更多實用建議
簽證和工作許可： 這是您的第一道難關。請仔細研究具體要求。對於日本，這通常意味著要獲得「技術・人文知識・國際業務」簽證，而這需要有公司作擔保。韓國的程序同樣嚴格。應從那些有為外籍人才提供擔保記錄的公司開始您的求職之旅。
適應職場文化： 準備好迎接重大的文化轉變。日本職場強調團隊和諧（wa，「和」）、建立共識和尊重階級。韓國的職場文化則以其快節奏（ppalli-ppalli，「快點快點」）、充滿活力和強烈的公司忠誠度而聞名。在面試中展示您理解並尊重這些細微差別至關重要。
進行策略性人脈拓展： 善用LinkedIn與專門負責或駐紮在這些市場的招聘人員和專業人士聯繫。尋找在當地工作的校友或前同事，並主動接觸以進行資訊性訪談，從而更好地了解市場格局。
僱主指南：在期望值高的市場中吸引人才
在日本： 要吸引頂尖的本地人才，應強調 穩定性、長遠的事業發展，以及對工藝的深厚尊重。為應對旅遊業熱潮，應大力投資於現有日本員工的多語言培訓，並對聘請具備合適語言能力和文化適應性的外籍人才持開放態度。
在韓國： 要在人才爭奪戰中勝出，需要 具競爭力的薪酬待遇、清晰且由地位驅動的晉升階梯，以及一個強大且精通數碼的僱主品牌。善用您品牌的名人關係和現代形象，來吸引雄心勃勃的年輕專業人士。
潛在優勢：行政人員教練的角色
在日本和韓國這些高風險、文化細膩的市場中，要取得卓越表現所帶來的壓力是巨大的。對於領袖和具抱負的專業人士而言，要駕馭獨特的職場文化、管理跨文化團隊並保持策略焦點，需要非凡的韌性和自我覺察能力。
這正是行政人員教練（Executive Coaching）成為寶貴工具之處。它提供一個保密的策略性夥伴關係，幫助您解讀複雜的文化動態、提升您的領導力，並建立信心以作出果敢的決策。在Trouvé Executive，我們獲 國際教練聯合會（ICF）認證的行政人員教練 服務，正是為了助您掌握這些技能而設，在您駕馭這些要求嚴格但回報豐厚的市場時，為您提供一個關鍵的支援系統。
日本和韓國在許多方面都代表著奢侈品零售的頂峰——它們要求卓越，但同時也提供巨大的回報。成功只會留給那些願意深入投資於理解文化、學習語言，並尊重定義著每個市場獨特價值觀的人。
結論
我們2025年第三季的亞洲奢侈品市場巡禮到此結束。希望這個系列能為您帶來啟發。接下來，您希望我們探索奢侈品零售世界中的哪些其他地區或特定主題？歡迎在留言區告訴我們！
如果您認為本文內容具價值，請點讚、分享並留言。如欲探討合作機會，或預約一次保密的行政人員教練會談，請瀏覽我們的網站 www.trouve-executive.com.
Comments