| |
Convenience store chains to expand in
Japan
TOKYO - Convenience-store
giants 7-Eleven Japan Co, Lawson Inc and FamilyMart
Co are expected to raise their number of outlets by a
net total of about 1,400.
The firms will open
more stores in office buildings and other targeted areas
in a bid to raise sales.
The
7-Eleven company, Japan's top convenience-store-chain operator, will open a
record 1,000 shops in the next term, company sources said
on Tuesday, including about 100 in Aichi prefecture,
where the company began operating for the first time
last year. The firm will close about 300 outlets, most
of which will be relocated to less competitive
areas. The chain now boasts more than 9,400 stores nationwide,
and is expected to have 10,000 this autumn.
Lawson, the second-largest chain, has closed
more than 500 shops for the second straight year, and
will see its total net number fall by 20, the first ever
decline. It will open 600 stores, while closing 200-300,
company sources said. Lawson will open stores mainly in
the Tokyo metropolitan area where it currently does not
run many shops.
No 3 FamilyMart will
open about 500 convenience stores for the third straight
year and will close 200 stores, company sources said.
The top three chains account for 22,600 out of a
total of 42,000 convenience stores nationwide.
According to the Japan Franchise Association,
same-store sales continued falling for the third
straight year until 2002.
Convenience store
operators are opening more stores in office buildings,
hospitals, universities and hotels because sales in
residential areas are slowing. They are also stressing
more products targeting female, middle-aged and senior
customers.
(Asia Pulse/Nikkei)
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
