Global Blue and NTT DATA form Joint Venture to Offer Tax Refund Services in Japan

Global Blue TFS Japan Co., Ltd. established to make retail transactions between Japanese merchants and their foreign customers, easier and faster

EYSINS, Switzerland, July 10, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE/ME NewsWire) Global Blue, the experts in international shopping and spending and NTT DATA, the leading Japanese system integration company, has announced today a joint venture to provide tax refund services in Japan to foreign travellers shopping in Japan. Global Blue TFS Japan Co., Ltd will start business nationwide at the end of September 2013.

“Asia is the world's fastest growing tourism region and the Japanese government has exciting plans to boost Japan as a tourism nation. We have created this joint venture to support these plans and to help Japanese retailers to capture their share of the fast growing globe shopper segment.” said Per Setterberg, Global Blue President and CEO. “The introduction of tax refund services across the country will make Japan a more attractive destination to foreign visitors.”

Masanori Shiina, Director and Executive Vice President of NTT DATA commented, “Global Blue is the number one player in tax free shopping, operating in over 40 countries mainly in Europe. Through this partnership we are offering foreign tourists a safer, more convenient shopping experience, clearly positioning Japan as a tourism-oriented country.”

Global Blue has more than 30 years' experience in offering tax refund services to merchants and travellers. Expanding the company's business in Asia is a strategic decision, in line with the growth in inbound and outbound travel from Asia, which is growing faster than in any other region in the world.
Global Blue established its Japanese subsidiary, Global Blue Japan Co. Ltd. in August 2011. In March 2012, it began providing tax free shopping services at selected retailers in Japan, including Isetan Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya. In April 2012, in partnership with NTT DATA, it started dynamic currency conversion operations in Japan, allowing Japanese merchants to offer their foreign shoppers the choice of paying in their home currency, instead of Japanese Yen at the point of purchase. Available in 14 currencies, Currency Choice is currently available at numerous locations across Japan.

About Global Blue
Global Blue are experts on foreign travellers' shopping and spending and makes retail transactions between merchants and their foreign customers, easier and more rewarding for everyone. Having introduced the concept of Tax Free Shopping over thirty years ago, Global Blue now offers a wide range of services that help consumers shop and spend wisely when they are in foreign countries, and merchants and banks increase their revenues from the lucrative traveller market.

Global Blue works with over 270,000 of the world's favourite retailers, shopping brands and hotels in over 40 countries and serves in excess of 60,000 travellers each and every day. The company's ambition is to become the beacon for international shopping and spending across the globe.
Global Blue's headquarters are in Eysins, close to Geneva, Switzerland. More information about Global Blue is available at www.globalblue.com/business.

About NTT DATA
NTT DATA is a leading company is the IT services industry providing clients with cutting edge technologies and services, such as the development of large-scale social infrastructure and information systems for the Finance and Public Sector industries and development of information systems that support the management strategy of the our clients.

NTT DATA is aiming to become one of the Global Top 5 IT Vendors, and currently employs approximately 61,000 people in 35 countries and regions around the world. By providing reliable, high-quality IT services around the world as "One NTT DATA", we are able to support our clients in increasing their business competitiveness through the power of IT as they continue to globalize.

NTT DATA is dedicated to the development of new strategies and values in information technology to contribute to create a more prosperous and harmonious society. www.nttdata.com/global/en/

*Source: ME NewsWire

The press release can be viewed online: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/7951/en