Shinsaibashi PARCO x Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store x KOKUYO: Creating an Environment to Support Emotional Labor for Staff Working at Both Facilities - New 'PARCO Daimaru Refresh Room' Established

Shinsaibashi PARCO and Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store newly established a staff-only refresh room within Shinsaibashi PARCO starting April 1st. The facility area is 60 tsubo (approx. 198 square meters), which is roughly double the previous rest space within Shinsaibashi PARCO alone, and approximately 140% expansion when combined with the Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store. As securing human resources becomes a societal challenge, we will support the sales floor by creating an environment where people want to work, thereby assisting our tenant companies in their recruitment activities.

Creating an Environment to Support 'Emotional Labor'

In recent years, 'emotional labor,' which requires communication involving emotions, has gained attention. This facility supports physical and mental recovery through both space creation and event management. The aim is not only to restore physical well-being but also to naturally encourage a change of mood and communication among staff, thereby improving the quality of breaks.

For the space creation, we collaborated with KOKUYO Co., Ltd., which has a proven track record in office space design. Utilizing the expertise cultivated in workplace design, we balanced spaces for individual relaxation with areas that encourage interaction among staff.

In terms of operations, based on the needs of sales staff revealed through surveys, we will irregularly hold short, casual events on themes such as 'staff interaction,' 'psychological recovery,' and 'tips for sales.'

In a survey conducted in February 2026, the most common request from sales staff regarding ES (Employee Satisfaction) services was '充実した休憩スペース' (well-equipped break space), followed by 'スタッフ同士のつながり' (connections among staff), '心理的充足・ウェルビーイング' (psychological fulfillment and well-being), and '販売スキルアップ' (sales skill improvement). Although a minority, there was also a response for '販売スタッフではない自己の表現' (expression of self not as a sales staff), suggesting that creating opportunities for staff to show aspects of themselves outside of work might be a role for future break spaces.

To meet these needs, as the first in a series of events, we will hold 'PARCO and Daimaru's Hospitality Coffee' on April 9th (Thursday) and April 11th (Saturday) for two days, where staff can interact through drip coffee.

*What is emotional labor: All work that requires particular emotional control. Generally applies to teachers, nurses, and customer service. It was proposed by American sociologist A.R. Hochschild in her 1983 book 'The Managed Heart' (Japanese title: '管理される心ー感情が商品になるとき' - 'The Managed Heart: When Emotions Become a Commodity').

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Space Design

The round wall at the entrance was designed as a physical and psychological boundary to instantly switch between 'ON' and 'OFF' modes.

It is a space that balances zones for individual relaxation and areas that encourage interaction among staff, allowing users to choose the optimal place according to their condition at any given time.

■Facility Overview

Name: PARCO Daimaru Refresh Room

Opening: April 1, 2026

Location: Shinsaibashi PARCO 8F

Area: 60 tsubo (approx. 198 sq. meters)

Seats: 52 seats

Design: KOKUYO Co., Ltd.

Opening Event: PARCO and Daimaru's Hospitality Coffee

We support the creation of physical and mental well-being through 'dialogue' and 'small appreciation' born from the aroma and hospitality of hand-drip coffee. We aim to bring the 'softening of the atmosphere' created by coffee back to the sales floor, connecting it to enhanced sales capabilities.

■Venue: Shinsaibashi PARCO 8F Refresh Room

■Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 13:00-16:00, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11:00-16:00
■Overview: Facility management staff from Shinsaibashi PARCO and Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store will personally drip coffee and serve it with gratitude to staff on break.

■Event Cooperation: Nichinichi~Nichi~

*Available only to staff of Shinsaibashi PARCO and Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store.