Classico
Classico is a Japanese direct-to-consumer medical apparel company designing and manufacturing premium lab coats, scrubs, nurse wear, and patient garments for healthcare professionals and institutions, sold via owned e-commerce, retail stores, and B2B channels across 16 countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersAkasaka, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Classico does
Classico Inc. is a Japanese direct-to-consumer medical apparel company that designs, manufactures, and sells premium lab coats, scrubs, nurse wear, and patient garments under its flagship Classico brand, plus a portfolio of licensed collaboration sub-brands (GELATO PIQUE & Classico, Ron Herman x Classico, Scrub Canvas Club, Pokemon, Black Jack, PEANUTS, Sesame Street, Keith Haring) and the lifte patient-wear brand co-developed with Elan Corporation. The company's technical foundation is in-house proprietary fabric development — ten or more named materials including DEO (94%+ odor elimination, first in industry to retain efficacy after industrial washing), MOVE (60% reduction in body load), COOLTECH (10x breathability), URBAN, LUXE, DECO, TRO, LIGHT JERSEY, FREE, PIMA, and the 2026 AIR series — paired with Italian tailoring-derived pattern making. It also sells the U scope stethoscope (iF Gold and Red Dot Best of the Best 2017) developed through Indiegogo crowdfunding.
The company operates a hybrid B2C and B2B revenue model. B2C channels include the Japanese online store (clasic.jp), a global online store launched November 2024 covering Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong, a Taiwan store, a T-Mall store for China, four owned retail stores in Marunouchi (2022), Osaka (2023), Nagoya (2023), and Yokohama (2024), and marketplace presence on Rakuten and Amazon (December 2025). B2B revenue flows through a network of 200+ agency partners including medical device dealers and linen supply companies, with a dedicated corporate sales team. Disclosed FY2025 (October 2025 year-end) revenue was JPY 3,631 million (~US$24M) on a headcount of 51–100. The company is publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (ticker 442A) since November 5, 2025, and operates across 16 countries/regions as of 2025, with active US/Canada/Australia expansion concurrent with the IPO.
Classico firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Classico
- Legal name
- Classico Inc.
- Website
- https://classico.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Classico is a Japanese direct-to-consumer medical apparel company designing and manufacturing premium lab coats, scrubs, nurse wear, and patient garments for healthcare professionals and institutions, sold via owned e-commerce, retail stores, and B2B channels across 16 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Classico industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Apparel
- NAICS
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Medical & Healthcare Uniforms (Scrubs, Lab Coats) (CRAAALAF)
Keywords
Where Classico is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Akasaka
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices8 records
Markets served
Classico business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- D2C Product Sales (Online Store): Direct-to-consumer sales through the company's Japanese online store (clasic.jp) and global online store (classico-global.com), Taiwan store, and T-Mall. Customers purchase medical apparel directly. The company states repeat purchase rate on its own e-commerce site exceeds 50%.
- D2C Product Sales (Physical Retail): Direct sales through company-owned retail stores in major Japanese cities (Marunouchi, Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama). Stores serve as both sales and brand experience locations.
- B2B Corporate Bulk Purchasing: Bulk uniform introduction services for hospitals and medical institutions. Sales through existing distribution agencies (over 200 partners including medical device dealers and linen suppliers) and direct B2B sales team.
- lifte Patient Garment Sales: Sales of lifte patient garments through partner company Elan's online store and directly to medical institutions. Developed jointly with Elan Corporation.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
Classico product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Classico designs, manufactures, and sells premium medical apparel including signature lab coats, scrubs, and nurse wear, as well as the U scope stethoscope, under the Classico brand. The company serves individual medical professionals (B2C) and healthcare institutions (B2B) through direct e-commerce, physical retail stores in Japan, marketplace listings on Rakuten/Amazon/T-Mall, and bulk institutional orders.
Product overview
Classico is a D2C medical apparel company offering a comprehensive portfolio of medical wear products centered on its flagship Classico brand. The portfolio includes core products (lab coats, scrubs, nurse wear) under the main Classico brand, collaboration sub-brands (GELATO PIQUE & Classico, Ron Herman x Classico, Scrub Canvas Club), and specialty lines (Pokemon, Black Jack, Keith Haring, PEANUTS, Sesame Street collaborations). Patient clothing is offered through the lifte sub-brand developed with ELAN Corporation. The company also produces examination gowns and has developed materials in-house (URBAN, LUXE, DECO, TRO, MOVE, LIGHT JERSEY, COOLTECH, FREE, PIMA, DEO) with latest innovation being the AIR ultra-lightweight scrub series. Products are sold through company-operated online stores, physical retail stores in major Japanese cities, and international markets. The company provides B2B bulk ordering services for hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Classico: Flagship brand offering stylish medical wear combining tailored techniques with beauty, functionality, and comfort
- GELATO PIQUE & Classico
- Ron Herman x Classico
- Scrub Canvas Club
- lifte
- AIR
Products and services
- Classico Tailor Lab Coat Signature premium lab coat product line that applies Italian tailoring aesthetics to the medical white coat, sold to individual medical professionals and institutions via e-commerce and retail.
- DEO Scrub Series Deodorant scrub series using proprietary DEO odor-eliminating fabric technology, designed for medical professionals who want odor control during long clinical shifts.
- MOVE Scrub Series High-stretch scrub series built on proprietary MOVE stretch material for improved mobility and comfort during clinical work.
- COOLTECH Scrub Series Summer scrub series using proprietary COOLTECH breathable material for cooling comfort in hot clinical environments.
- URBAN Fabric Scrubs Scrub products made from URBAN fabric, characterized by a spongy, silk-like smooth texture.
- LUXE Fabric Scrubs Premium scrubs made from LUXE stretch fabric, a high-stretch fiber mixed material designed for comfort and refined appearance.
- DECO Fabric Scrubs Scrub products made from DECO jacquard fabric with a thick, voluminous feel and design-forward pattern.
- TRO Fabric Scrubs Warm scrub products made from TRO wool-blend fabric that maintains shape while providing warmth for cooler clinical environments.
- LIGHT JERSEY Fabric Scrubs Lightweight scrubs made from LIGHT JERSEY thin, light fabric that prevents transparency and provides a cool, light feel.
- FREE Fabric Scrubs Low-maintenance scrubs made from FREE wrinkle-resistant fabric suitable for machine washing and air-drying.
- PIMA Fabric Scrubs Scrubs made from PIMA pima cotton fabric with a soft, smooth feel and elegant appearance.
- for women Series Dedicated women's medical wear line developed in collaboration with female medical professionals, providing improved fit and design tailored to women clinicians.
- Entry Model (Pack Series) Entry-level scrub set that includes a top, pants, and cap, designed for first-time Classico buyers and as a hospital gift set.
- U scope Stethoscope Proprietary stethoscope product designed and sold by Classico, recognized with the iF Design Award, sold to individual medical professionals via e-commerce.
- Smart Device Coat Specialized lab coat designed to allow smartphones to be operated without removal, sold to medical professionals who need quick phone access during clinical work.
- Breast Cancer Screening Gown Examination gown designed to enable painless MRI breast cancer screening, sold through the Classico e-commerce store to patients and clinics.
- lifte Patient Garments Patient garment product line developed and distributed in partnership with Elan Co., Ltd., targeting hospitals and healthcare institutions for inpatient wear.
- Gelato Pique & Classico Collaboration Line Collaboration scrub product line developed with lifestyle fashion brand Gelato Pique, blending fashion aesthetics with Classico's medical apparel expertise.
- Ron Herman x Classico Collaboration Line Collaboration scrub product line developed with California fashion brand Ron Herman, targeting design-conscious medical professionals.
- Pokemon Collection Pokemon-themed scrub product collection sold under the Scrub Canvas Club program, featuring character-inspired designs for medical professionals.
- Black Jack Collaboration Scrubs Black Jack manga-themed scrub collaboration line, bringing the iconic Tezuka Osamu manga character into medical apparel design.
- Keith Haring Collection Art-inspired scrub collection featuring Keith Haring artwork, sold under the Scrub Canvas Club program.
- PEANUTS Collection PEANUTS character-themed scrub product collection sold under the Scrub Canvas Club program, featuring Snoopy and other Peanuts characters.
- Sesame Street Collaboration Scrubs Sesame Street character-themed scrub collaboration line, featuring branded character designs for medical professionals.
- Wonder Art x SCC Scrub Line Art-inspired scrub collaboration line between Wonder Art and Scrub Canvas Club, targeting design-conscious medical professionals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 94%+ odor elimination rate for DEO material, maintained after industrial washing
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Classico
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Classico technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Classico partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- m3.comminorPoints exchange partnership enabling m3.com's medical professional members to exchange m3 points for Classico points at a 1:1 ratio (1,000 point minimum). Classico points are redeemable at Classico's online store and all physical retail locations.
- THREE (株式会社其自然美)minorCollaboration with THREE, a holistic beauty brand, to deliver a holistic experience to medical professionals. Concept: 'Bring holistic experiences to medical settings.' Joint products planned for July 2026 release. Joint promotional events at Nursing Fair 2026.
- Synflux (シンフラックス)coreCollaboration using Synflux's proprietary 'Algorithmic Couture' AI system to optimize pattern placement on fabric, minimizing material waste. The project applies AI to reduce fabric waste in medical apparel production while preserving design integrity. Aims to bring sustainable manufacturing to the medical apparel industry.
- Doebs Search (ドゥイブス・サーチ)coreJoint development of next-generation painless MRI breast cancer examination gowns. Classico designs and manufactures examination gowns while Doebs Search provides expertise in painless MRI screening technology. The gowns reduce patient anxiety during cancer screening examinations.
- BPLab (株式会社BPLab)minorPartnership through BPLab's 'BIOLOGIC LOOP' circular platform for recycling medical uniforms. Classico participates in collecting and recycling used medical apparel (RE:CyCREW PROJECT). In 2024, approximately 1 ton of in-house inventory was recycled. The initiative supports Classico's sustainability goals of establishing a resource recycling model for medical apparel.
- Hitoiro Project (ひといろプロジェクト)minorCollaboration to breathe new life into leftover fabric (残布). Classico provides surplus fabric from production to Hitoiro Project, which creates art works for healthcare and welfare settings using their proprietary 'Rehabilitation Color' method. Joint workshops held with medical staff and patients.
- Wonder Art (ワンダーアート)minorCollaboration with NPO Wonder Art to bring art into medical settings. Wonder Art's hospital art programs combine with Classico's Scrub Canvas Club (SCC) collaboration line, allowing artists' and children's artwork to appear on medical scrubs, creating a warmer healthcare environment.
- Elan Corporation (株式会社エラン)coreCapital and business alliance formed in March 2020 with Elan Corporation, a pioneer in inpatient kit services. The partnership led to co-development of 'lifte' patient garments launched in 2022. Elan handles sales through its hospital kit service and online store. In June 2026, expanded partnership to include overseas expansion of the lifte brand.
- Gelato Pique (ジェラート ピケ)coreCollaboration brand combining Gelato Pique's 'desserts for adults' concept and comfortable roomwear design with Classico's high functionality. Aimed at bringing healing and happiness to medical professionals. Gentle colors and comfortable textures paired with Classico's functional expertise.
- Ron HermancoreCollaboration with California-based specialty store Ron Herman (now operated by Fred Segal) to create high-quality, elegantly simple medical apparel. The collaboration applies Ron Herman's premium casual aesthetic with Classico's tailoring expertise. Multiple collection releases since 2015.
- Pokémon CompanyminorClassico Pokémon Collection - a collaboration line featuring Pokémon characters on medical scrubs and pen cases. Multiple collections released since 2022. Brings smiles and comfort to medical professionals and patients.
- Shueisha (集英社)minorBlack Jack collaboration - licensed scrubs and lab coats featuring designs inspired by the manga Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka. Multiple collection releases (first in 2023, second in 2026).
- Peanuts WorldwideminorPeanuts collaboration scrubs featuring Snoopy and Charlie Brown characters on medical scrubs.
- Sesame WorkshopminorSesame Street collaboration scrubs featuring Sesame Street characters for the medical field.
- Keith Haring FoundationminorLab coat and scrubs collection inspired by the art of Keith Haring, the iconic 1980s artist, released December 2025.
- Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園)minorAsahiyama Zoo support project featuring Wonder Art x SCC collaboration scrubs and goods. Proceeds support zoo conservation activities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Classico competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Barco Uniforms: Established US medical uniform manufacturer with brands including Grey's Anatomy and Skechers. Comparable to Classico as a multi-brand medical-apparel player serving hospitals and individual practitioners, though with broader portfolio and less premium DTC focus.
- Cherokee Uniforms: Long-established US medical uniform brand within Strategic Partners portfolio. Comparable to Classico as a foundational medical-apparel brand but at much larger scale and with broader (less premium) distribution including mass channels.
- Dickies Medical: Medical apparel line from Williamson-Dickie, a major workwear brand. Comparable to Classico in scrubs and lab coats but operates as a sub-brand of a large workwear conglomerate, lacking Classico's standalone premium positioning.
Direct peers
- Jaanuu: Fashion-forward medical scrubs and uniforms DTC brand serving nurses and doctors in the US. Comparable to Classico in its premium aesthetic, fabric innovation claims, and lifestyle marketing around medical professionalism.
- Medelita: Premium medical apparel brand specializing in performance lab coats and scrubs for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Closely comparable to Classico's flagship Classico Tailor positioning with emphasis on tailored fit and functional fabrics.
- Adar Medical: Medical uniform manufacturer with broad scrub, lab coat, and nursing apparel lines serving institutions and individuals. Comparable to Classico's B2B bulk-supply model alongside its DTC consumer business.
- FIGS: US-based DTC medical apparel company offering premium scrubs and lab coats to healthcare professionals. Closest direct peer given its DTC model, fashion-forward positioning, and targeting of doctors and nurses — directly analogous to Classico's playbook at a much larger scale.
- Koi (by Scrubs & Beyond): Trendy medical apparel brand under the Scrubs & Beyond parent. Comparable to Classico in its fashion-led scrubs offering and licensed IP collaborations (Disney, etc.) that mirror Classico's SCC line with Pokémon and Sesame Street.
- WonderWink: Medical scrubs brand with strong brand identity and color/styling differentiation. Comparable to Classico's consumer-facing branding and emphasis on differentiated aesthetics in the otherwise utilitarian scrub category.
- Healing Hands: US medical scrubs brand emphasizing comfort, fit, and modern styling for healthcare professionals. Directly comparable to Classico's scrub business with overlapping value proposition of fashion-meets-function.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Classico social profiles
Digital presenceClassico financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Classico leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Classico funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Classico M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Classico
What does Classico do?
Classico designs, manufactures, and sells premium medical apparel including signature lab coats, scrubs, and nurse wear, as well as the U scope stethoscope, under the Classico brand. The company serves individual medical professionals (B2C) and healthcare institutions (B2B) through direct e-commerce, physical retail stores in Japan, marketplace listings on Rakuten/Amazon/T-Mall, and bulk institutional orders.
Is Classico a public or private company?
Classico is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Classico founded?
Classico was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Classico based?
Classico is headquartered in Akasaka, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Classico make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. D2C Product Sales (Online Store) is the primary driver. The others are D2C Product Sales (Physical Retail), B2B Corporate Bulk Purchasing and lifte Patient Garment Sales.
Who are Classico's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Barco Uniforms, Cherokee Uniforms and Dickies Medical. Direct peers are Jaanuu, Medelita, Adar Medical, FIGS, Koi (by Scrubs & Beyond), WonderWink and Healing Hands.
Does Classico have an API?
No public API is recorded for Classico.
What industry is Classico in?
Classico's product category is Medical Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAALAF, Medical & Healthcare Uniforms (Scrubs, Lab Coats). Its NAICS code is 3391 and its SIC code is 2300.