News South Korean cafe Hollys to open first outlet in Osaka

After the South Korean chicken chain, Mom's Touch opened its first branch in Shibuya last week, Hollys will open its first Japanese location in Osaka next week. The company hopes to use a popular destination among South Korean tourists as a springboard for further expansion.

The store on the first floor of the Namba Marui mall will put Korean food culture front and center in its menu, with items such as lattes topped with yakgwa, a traditional deep-fried cookie made with honey, and juices and smoothies made with hanrabong citrus fruit, a specialty of Jeju Island. The shop will measure 188 square meters, with space to seat 61 people. Hollys, which debuted in 1998 as an espresso shop, was bought by the KG Group conglomerate in 2020 and now has around 500 locations across South Korea.

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Japan's post-pandemic tourism has witnessed a rebound, drawing more South Korean travellers. The proximity of the weakened yen and Osaka (just a two-hour flight from Seoul) contribute to its popularity. Furthermore, the 2025 World Expo is expected to attract even more visitors to Osaka. Hollys, a coffee chain, also aims to capture the attention of young Japanese consumers who previously visited their outlets during trips to South Korea. Hollys must leverage its distinctive menu to stand out in Japan's fiercely competitive cafe market. However, it won't be an easy feat, as it faces competition from established players like Starbucks, local brands such as Doutor Coffee and Komeda Coffee, and even Chinese chains like Mixue that have been making strides in the market.


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