NAGOYA (Kyodo) Convenience store chains have been engaged in cutthroat competition for survival in Nagoya, ever since Seven-Eleven Japan Co. opened its first outlets here in December 2002.

Seven-Eleven Japan had opened 156 outlets in Aichi Prefecture, including 77 in Nagoya, as of the end of November.

Sales at the new outlets are brisk, with each store chalking up daily sales averaging 650,000 yen, about 100,000 yen more than the average at the company's other outlets.