Tokyo-based Lawson Inc. has announced that they will be opening 20 to 30 convenience stores on the island of Oahu in the next two to three years, with the majority of them concentrated in the Waikiki neighborhood. Lawson, which is the second largest convenience store chain in Japan with over 10,000 stores. Their company’s senior manager of international business, Makoto Oe, stated, “Our strategy is starting from the center of Waikiki, initially targeting tourists, especially Japanese tourists, who are very demanding in terms of service. We will also target Chinese tourists. Although we are still growing in the Japanese market, the convenience store itself is coming to saturation in Japan, therefore we have to look at the market outside Japan. We’re confident we can establish our higher brand starting from Waikiki and expanding to other areas of Honolulu.”
Lawson will be in direct competition with the locally owned and operated ABC Stores which has approximately 40 locations in Waikiki and Ala Moana. President and CEO of ABC Stores, Paul Kosasa, stated, “It’s another retailer, and there’s plenty of retail in Waikiki already. There’s added competition, but we certainly (know) competition’s always going to be there. I think in their minds they’re seeing opportunities. As long as there’s locations, there’s opportunity.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-11-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
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