4. The Great Convenience Store Wars in Japan

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Summary by ChatGPT

In this episode of "Audio Japan," we focus on convenience stores in Japan. The history of convenience stores dates back to 1927 in America, and in Japan, they started to spread as a new business model during the late 1960s, a period of high economic growth, considering coexistence with large supermarkets and regional characteristics. Currently, there are about 56,000 stores, with Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson known as the "big three" convenience stores. Each competes with unique services and products, catering to customer needs.

Seven-Eleven is known for its "dominant strategy," advanced logistics system, and unique product development capabilities. FamilyMart differentiates itself through its own brands like FamiPay and FamiMaru, as well as digital signage for information dissemination. Lawson caters to diverse customer needs with a wide range of product lineups and specialized store developments, including Lawson Store 100, Natural Lawson, and handling pharmaceutical products.

Convenience stores are not just limited to the retail industry but also function as part of the "financial" and "media" sectors, deeply ingrained in Japan's lifestyle culture. Their evolution continues to match customers' lifestyles and needs.

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