Japanese convenience stores working to meet needs of foreign visitors to Japan
Japanese convenience store operators are working to capitalize on the rising number of foreign visitors to the country to boost their sales.
Seven-Eleven Japan has been developing products targeting foreign visitors, such as rice balls using wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, and sweets made with matcha, or green tea. The operator is also printing product names in Roman letters on the packages. Some outlets offer products loved by foreigners in large packages, as they tend to buy their favorites in bulk to take home with.
Yoshimura Hiroshi, a Seven-Eleven Japan official, says the company is creating a shopping environment catering to foreign visitors, as they are the driver of sales growth.
FamilyMart has created a webpage where popular products are introduced in English, Chinese and other languages.
Lawson has had store employees wear a badge that shows which languages they speak to help customers who do not speak Japanese find them and seek help.
The convenience store industry regards foreign travelers to Japan as a new opportunity for growth, while the Japanese population has been shrinking.
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