NOBODY said it would be easy-peasy Japanesey - but Jez and Hiromi Willard have done it.

They have just announced that their award-winning Japanese Shop empire in York, Harrogate and Chester, has exceeded the £1 million gross turnover mark.

"Given the doom and gloom in the retail environment, it's a fantastic achievement and we are very proud of it," said Jez, who praises his 24 staff at The Japanese Shop branches in Coppergate Walk, as well as in Parliament Street, Harrogate and in Watergate Street, Chester; and in his growing mail order and wholesale divisions.

The Japanese Shop's dynamism has been repeatedly recognised through The Press Business Awards.

In 2003, it reached the finals of the Retailer of the Year, having just won the Best Shop of The Year title in the York Tourism Awards.

But the following year, Jez and his Japanese wife, Hiromi, punched the air three times on finals night.

The first was when the store won the Press Small Business of the year, the second when it finally scooped the Retailer of The Year accolade and the third was when it won the overall title of The Press Business Of The Year.

It was again a Retailer of the Year finalist in 2005.

Jez said: "On that night of the big awards, our income was 99 per cent retail and one per cent non-retail, but this year we foresee an 80 per cent to 20 per cent ratio and are budgeting for a ten per cent increase in turnover.

"Within the next five years, perhaps with more acquisitions, we aim for between £2 million and £3 million in sales."

The announcement comes as the shop launches 40-page mail order brochure for 2008. "It was hard work putting this together, but we are extremely proud of the results.

"We have a product range that is naturally colourful, stylish and fashionable and the new brochure reflects that."

Online sales for this month are likely to triple the figures for January 2007.