Lawson beta tests futuristic convenience store with KDDI
Lawson opened an experimental high-tech convenience store in Tokyo on Monday, aiming to improve operational efficiency and collect data.
The new store — Real x Tech Lawson — is designed to test a range of technologies, including robotics, digital signs and artificial intelligence.
'We hope to make this tech convenience store a standard for society,' Lawson CEO Sadanobu Takemasu said at a news conference.
The tech-powered Lawson is located in Linkpillar 1 North at Takanawa Gateway City. The building is also the new headquarters of KDDI, which owns 50% of Lawson.
KDDI and Lawson have said that they will utilize KDDI's tech expertise to improve the convenience store experience.
The new store features a robot that partially automates the cooking of Kara-age Kun fried chicken, a Lawson favorite. It also features a floor cleaning robot.
Digital panels are installed throughout the shop to display information about products, recommended items and local events.
A self-checkout system is equipped with a display that shows a 3D avatar of a real Lawson employee. They can remotely handle checkout when a customer needs help.
The store will also gather data, such as the workload of employees and stocking levels, with tags and cameras, so that AI agents can advise on how to improve operations.
Digital signs are everywhere at a new high-tech Lawson that opened on Monday in Tokyo. |
Kazuaki Nagata
While KDDI and Lawson said they hope to increase the number of tech-powered convenience stores, they did not offer specific targets, saying that they want to see how the experiment at the new store goes.
'We want to identify what will work and what won't at this store,' said KDDI CEO Hiromichi Matsuda.
In February last year, KDDI announced a ¥500 billion investment in Lawson to leverage the chain's nationwide retail network and customer base.
As Lawson has about 14,700 convenience stores in Japan, the purchase significantly increases physical touch points for KDDI.
KDDI began to purchase Lawson stock in 2019 when it bought 2.1% of the convenience store's equity.
The telecom company now owns Lawson together with Mitsubishi Corp. The general trading company holds the other 50% of the stock.
Given that convenience store chains are facing intense competition in recent years, especially from drug stores that sell daily goods, Lawson aims to utilize technology to better compete.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Japan PM Ishiba holds news conference as Diet session ends
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has said he will make every effort to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the US on tariff negotiations. Ishiba said at a news conference on Monday at the end of the Diet session that his government would not hesitate to take additional measures to support domestic industries if necessary. Ishiba said: "We must not rush into an agreement that could harm our national interests. I will put my heart and soul into these negotiations and carry the weight of the nation on my back." Ishiba touched on rising tensions in the Middle East. He was asked about the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Ishiba said: "Our country relies on the Middle East for 80 percent of our oil, so the situation will have a significant impact on the stability of our energy supply. We will continue to monitor the situation with vigilance. The most important thing is for tensions to be calmed as soon as possible. Japan strongly urges the path to dialogue be reopened." Ishiba said Japan will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region. The prime minister also announced measures against rising prices. He said the government will give out vouchers worth about 140 dollars to each person. Those with lower incomes and families with children will get extra benefits. Ishiba commented on a cut to the consumption tax, which opposition parties are calling for. He said: "It will take time to enact. This would also give preferential treatment to high income earners. Furthermore, it would also threaten funding for social security measures. So I don't think it's entirely appropriate." Ishiba expressed his aim to get a majority for his ruling coalition in the coming Upper House election, expected to be held next month. He said he hopes to achieve that by winning seats and adding them to those not up for election.
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Travel firm Agoda urged to improve business after booking troubles
KYODO NEWS - 25 minutes ago - 21:36 | All, Japan The Japan Tourism Agency has urged the Japanese arm of online travel agency Agoda Company Pte. to improve its business practices due to booking problems, a source familiar with the matter said Monday. In March, the agency asked Agoda International Japan to address problems including repeated cases of travelers arriving at hotels to find no record of their paid bookings. In some instances, the reservation details provided to hotels were incorrect. The following month, the company submitted a list of measures to the agency outlining how it would address the booking issues, but some hotel operators in Japan said the problems were still occurring as of June. Based in Singapore, Agoda, a subsidiary of the world's leading online travel service provider, Booking Holdings Inc., provides services in 39 languages and employs staff in 27 markets, according to the company. If the company fails to implement drastic measures, the Japanese government may impose administrative penalties, the source said. Toyoko Inn Co., which operates a major hotel chain in Japan, warned travelers on its website on June 16 about booking issues involving Agoda and its partner firms. It cited cases of incorrect room types and reservation dates, as well as instances where rooms were listed on Agoda at significantly higher prices than those set by the hotels. Toyoko Inn said various issues have arisen from the resale of rooms by Agoda's partner companies and that travelers must contact those firms directly to resolve problems, including reservation cancellations. The hotel operator issued the warning after failing to resolve the booking issues through discussions with Agoda. "Our customer care team swiftly and appropriately responds to solve problems whenever trouble arises," the Tokyo-based Agoda International Japan said. Related coverage: No. of Golden Week holidaymakers to drop 6.9% as inflation bites 3 Japan airports to use unified gates for immigration, customs checks
Kyodo News
4 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Travel firm Agoda urged to improve business after booking troubles
KYODO NEWS - 9 minutes ago - 21:36 | All, Japan The Japan Tourism Agency has urged the Japanese arm of online travel agency Agoda Company Pte. to improve its business practices due to booking problems, a source familiar with the matter said Monday. In March, the agency asked Agoda International Japan to address problems including repeated cases of travelers arriving at hotels to find no record of their paid bookings. In some instances, the reservation details provided to hotels were incorrect. The following month, the company submitted a list of measures to the agency outlining how it would address the booking issues, but some hotel operators in Japan said the problems were still occurring as of June. Based in Singapore, Agoda, a subsidiary of the world's leading online travel service provider, Booking Holdings Inc., provides services in 39 languages and employs staff in 27 markets, according to the company. If the company fails to implement drastic measures, the Japanese government may impose administrative penalties, the source said. Toyoko Inn Co., which operates a major hotel chain in Japan, warned travelers on its website on June 16 about booking issues involving Agoda and its partner firms. It cited cases of incorrect room types and reservation dates, as well as instances where rooms were listed on Agoda at significantly higher prices than those set by the hotels. Toyoko Inn said various issues have arisen from the resale of rooms by Agoda's partner companies and that travelers must contact those firms directly to resolve problems, including reservation cancellations. The hotel operator issued the warning after failing to resolve the booking issues through discussions with Agoda. "Our customer care team swiftly and appropriately responds to solve problems whenever trouble arises," the Tokyo-based Agoda International Japan said. Related coverage: No. of Golden Week holidaymakers to drop 6.9% as inflation bites 3 Japan airports to use unified gates for immigration, customs checks
