Eat-in areas on the rise in Japan’s convenience stores and supermarkets

Established in 2014, a K's Cafe in Tokyo's Harumi district is one of 13 such outlets run by the Circle K group that, unlike traditional eat-in areas, aim to offer customers space to take long breaks. | COURTESY OF CIRCLE K

By Tomohiro Osaki
Staff Writer

Dec 28, 2015

In the quest for next-level service, convenience stores and supermarkets are increasingly keen to experiment with "eat-in" lounge areas.

Some are even setting up adjacent cafes where the same clerks who handle convenience store customers also serve coffee and cake. Eat-in areas allow customers to consume their purchases without leaving the premises.

Here is a look into the recent boom of eat-in areas and how convenience stores and supermarkets are tapping into their potential:

CORNER-STORE CONVENIENCES

Eat-in areas on the rise in Japan’s convenience stores and supermarkets

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