Key Facts
• August 30, 2025: Lawson announces plans to open 10-20% of new stores in depopulated areas.
• Annual average of 50 new stores projected based on five-year data until 2024.
• Strategy addresses increasing “shopping-vulnerable” populations due to supermarket closures.
• Fresh food and product variety to be enhanced to boost sales.
• Lawson Upper Atsuma Store in Hokkaido opened in spring 2024 on a former supermarket site.
• Sales at Upper Atsuma Store exceeded expectations by over 30%.
• October 2024: Ryujin Village West Store in Wakayama Prefecture opened with fresh and frozen food sales 4-5 times higher than standard stores.
• Ryujin Village West Store includes an eat-in space fostering community interaction.
Summary
Lawson, a major convenience store chain, announced plans to allocate 10-20% of its new store openings to depopulated areas, addressing the growing number of “shopping-vulnerable” individuals caused by supermarket closures. This initiative, based on a five-year average of 50 new stores annually until 2024, aims to strengthen fresh food offerings and create community spaces. Notable examples include the Upper Atsuma Store in Hokkaido, which opened in spring 2024 and achieved sales exceeding expectations by 30%, and the Ryujin Village West Store in Wakayama Prefecture, which opened in October 2024 with fresh and frozen food sales 4-5 times higher than standard stores. These efforts highlight Lawson’s commitment to sustainable operations and meeting local needs.
