J apan’s konbini (convenience stores) are bright havens of food and comfort, where shelves are stocked with everything from onigiri (rice balls) to sandwiches, bento boxes, salads, baked goods and fresh fruit. Near the checkout, customers will find glass cases brimming with steamed buns, fried chicken and freshly made curry bread.
Stores offer hot and iced coffee as well as smoothies made in store. Customers can find dozens of tasty options in aisles stocked with dried, canned, packaged and frozen foods, as well as an array of bottled drinks.
In addition to the impressive food selection, konbini offer a place for customers to complete essential tasks including paying bills, buying postage, printing documents, purchasing bus tickets and travel cards. It’s a one-stop shop, found in nearly every neighbourhood in Japan.

Japan has roughly

one convenience store

for every

2,200 inhabitants

The country boasts one of the densest and most competitive convenience store markets bet365 退会 world, with one store for about every 2,200 people. Notably, three-quarters of all spending in Japanese convenience stores is on food, a higher proportion than in other markets. Each store typically offers thousands of products, with dozens of new items arriving each week to keep customers coming back.
7-Eleven, owned by bet365 退会 Holdings, has refined this retail model since opening its first franchise store in Japan over 50 years ago.
“The ultimate reason why 7-Eleven’s culture has evolved to this point is our relentless focus on understanding what customers want,” says Ken Wakabayashi, president and chief executive of 7-Eleven International.

Bringing Japanese convenience abroad

bet365 退会 Holdings is increasingly finding a global audience for its tailored approach to convenience, supported by its ambitious expansion strategy. Aiming to become “a leading and trusted global retailer centring around food,” the company plans to expand its network from 19 to 30 countries and regions, identifying Europe as a top priority for growth, alongside Japan, North America and APAC.
“We see tremendous growth opportunities in new markets. We believe sustainable growth could be achieved by not only enhancing the quality of our products, but also the quality of our service, and optimising our store locations,” says Wakabayashi.
Building on its deep expertise in established markets across Japan, the United States and Asia, the company is poised to accelerate its global expansion. As competition heats up bet365 退会 retail sector, businesses operating from small storefronts—Seven & i Holdings stands out by replicating the successful strategies refined bet365 退会se markets.
“While products will vary by region, we’ve mastered the art of product development, ensuring freshness and cleanliness, attractive displays and optimising store locations,” says Wakabayashi. “We will differentiate ourselves by localising our offerings and delivering what customers want, when and where they want it.”

Strategy of localisation

Stocking specialities—a cornerstone of the Japanese convenience store experience—is becoming increasingly crucial for convenience stores outside Japan.
bet365 退会 US, 7-Eleven is known for its Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp brands1, but also offers international options including tonkotsu ramen and rice ball. In Hawaii, 7-Eleven customers can enjoy Spam2 musubi and loco moco bentos.
“It’s essential to differentiate by more than just replicating the Japanese convenience store experience abroad,” says Wakabayashi. “Our customer-centric approach focuses on meeting local needs, offering products that resonate with regional tastes. Localisation isn’t just about adapting products; it’s about creating convenience stores that align closely with the local culture.”

Consumers are increasingly seeking not just convenience and quality but also value, especially bet365 退会 face of rising inflation.

The brand’s U.S. operations use the same data-driven approach as Japan to tailor store assortments based on sales data, demographic trends and even local weather forecasts. This trend of localisation is also evident in mainland Europe and the UK, where consumers are increasingly seeking not just convenience and quality but also value, especially bet365 退会 face of rising inflation.

Revenues bet365 退会 convenience food market is expected to grow annually by 6.39% from 2024 to 2029

Providing social infrastructure

The Japanese convenience store model goes beyond convenience and variety. It functions as essential community infrastructure.
A typical konbini offers services including parcel delivery and pickup, concert ticket sales, and even the ability to pay taxes, utility bills, and print official documents like resident records. For those living in remote areas, these services are essential lifelines. 7-Eleven also extends its reach to those with less mobility in Japan, providing convenience through mobile sales and partnerships with local governments.

The Japanese convenience store
model goes beyond convenience and variety—it functions as essential community infrastructure.

Such convenience stores are crucial in sustaining communities in isolated and rural areas worldwide. With their expertise in serving shrinking and ageing populations, Japanese-style convenience stores can become a vital link for residents bet365 退会se areas.
“We don’t aim to replicate Japanese convenience stores exactly as they are overseas, but rather to bring the ‘Japanese-style’ concept abroad,” says Wakabayashi. “By ‘Japanese-style,’ we mean creating stores that become integral to society.”