Japan's retailers brace for revamp of tax-free tourist shopping

What happened: Japan will overhaul tax-free shopping rules for foreign visitors in November, moving roughly 64,000 tax-free shops from tax exemptions to refunds to combat domestic reselling. Key numbers: November implementation; about 64,000 tax-free shops affected. Why it matters: Some retailers, including department stores, worry the new refund process may deter big spenders and hit demand for high-end goods.

Japan will overhaul tax-free shopping rules for foreign visitors in November, moving roughly 64,000 tax-free shops from tax exemptions to refunds to combat domestic reselling.

Some retailers, including department stores, worry the new refund process may deter big spenders and hit demand for high-end goods.