Food & Drink | KONBINI WATCH May 9, 2020
The quest for cute convenience store character sweets
by Patrick St. Michel
Sometimes a slight sacrifice in overall “aww” factor is worth it for a dessert that actually tastes good.
Food & Drink | KONBINI WATCH May 2, 2020
Take a taste bud trip with Shikoku citrus and Kyoto matcha
by Patrick St. Michel
Lawson's Uchi Cafe brand ice bars have been one of the most welcome additions to the konbini ecosystem, and the new Ehime Prefecture Citrus Iyo & Amanatsu flavor is a highlight.
Business / Corporate Apr 10, 2020
Lawson and Seven & I cancel fiscal 2020 forecasts due to pandemic
Retailers Seven & I Holdings Co. and Lawson Inc. cannot release earnings forecasts for fiscal 2020 due to the uncertainties posed by the coronavirus outbreak, they said. Economic activity is slowing markedly because of the government's state of emergency declaration for Tokyo and six prefectures. ...
Business / Tech Feb 18, 2020
Lawson Inc. unveiled for the media Tuesday an experimental checkout-free convenience store that will allow customers to make purchases using a smartphone app. The "grab and go" shop is part of the major chain's attempts to address Japan's labor shortage. Advanced technology allows customers to ...
Food & Drink | KONBINI WATCH Feb 8, 2020
Gird your arteries: Jumbo fried foods have taken over convenience stores
by Patrick St. Michel
Convenience stores have started going bigger with their fried food options in 2020. Whether they are better is debatable.
Business / Corporate Feb 7, 2020
Japan panel urges convenience stores to shorten hours and lower labor cost burden
Convenience store chains should consider shortening their business hours, and help franchise owners cover rising labor costs, a government panel said Thursday. The recommendations come as some franchise owners are struggling to keep convenience stores open 24 hours a day, despite plateauing demand from consumers ...
National Jan 19, 2020
Planned online system will link food banks with manufacturers, retailers
The farm ministry will launch an online system in fiscal 2020 to link food banks with food donors to support needy people and families while cutting food waste, officials said Saturday. Under the envisaged system, food manufacturers and retailers input information such as type, quantity ...
Food & Drink | KONBINI WATCH Jan 11, 2020
Take a cold weather gamble on Lawson's new ice bars
by Patrick St. Michel
Lawson's Japan Flavors series of desserts, debuted in summer with a handful of citrus-flavored ice bars, and now the convenience store chain has rolled out two new varieties for winter in the form of grape and strawberry ice pops.
National Dec 30, 2019
Seven-Eleven Japan's termination of contract seen as move to expel Higashiosaka owner
The store owner made headlines earlier this year for halting round-the-clock operations because he couldn’t find anyone willing to work late hours.
Food & Drink | KONBINI WATCH Dec 28, 2019
Festive sweets to ring in the new year
by Patrick St. Michel
Convenience stores have your cravings covered this new year with a selection of festive fruit- and cheese-based sweets.
Business / Corporate Dec 27, 2019
Lawson to allow New Year's store closures in Japan on trial basis
Lawson Inc. plans to allow some outlets to close during the New Year's holiday period on a trial basis, said Sadanobu Takemasu, president and chief executive officer of the convenience store chain, in a recent interview. Between Tuesday and Thursday, 102 stores across 25 prefectures ...
Business / Corporate Dec 16, 2019
Carrier KDDI and convenience store Lawson to tie up on mobile payments
Mobile phone carrier KDDI Corp. and convenience store operator Lawson Inc. will tie up on smartphone payments and combine their customer loyalty point programs to strengthen competitiveness against rivals, the two companies announced Monday. KDDI, which operates the au Wallet point service for its customers, ...