GSI Commerce opens Tokyo office; names Kaoru Nakashima to head Japanese, Asia-Pacific business

GSI Commerce expands to Tokyo; names Asia exec

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — Retail website operator GSI Commerce Inc. on Wednesday said it opened an office in Tokyo and tapped Kaoru Nakashima as vice president of Japan and Asia Pacific, leading the Japanese office.

Nakashima most recently worked as general manager of Jupiter Shop Channel, a TV shopping channel in Japan. He was previously marketing director for ToysRUs.com Japan Co. Ltd.

GSI has launched or has agreements to launch more than 25 brands outside of North America, including several in Europe. Among them are e-Dialog, an e-mail and marketing provider, which opened e-Dialog Asia-Pacific, with an office in Singapore.

Shawn Milne, an analyst with Janney Capital Markets, said GSI’s move into the Asian market was expected. Noting the company has announced major deals in Europe with ToysRUs and Polo and its list of international clients, Milne said he continues to believe that GSI’s international segment represents a “significant opportunity.”

While its international unit is expected to operate at a loss this year because of increased investments and site development and launch costs, Milne said he expects volume growth to lead to improvements, and profits by 2012.

In midday trading, GSI shares slid 99 cents, or 4.3 percent, to $22.02 as the broader market slumped.