Surveys show that 7-Eleven is the preferred choice among Japanese consumers, closely followed by competitors like FamilyMart and Lawson. This competitive landscape drives continuous innovation as brands strive to capture market share and meet consumers’ diverse needs.
TOKYO, JAPAN (The CTP News) – 7-Eleven stands out as Japan’s most popular convenience store brand, a status attributed to several factors. With a dense network of convenience stores nationwide, 7-Eleven offers accessibility and convenience to a broad customer base. Moreover, the brand’s commitment to innovation ensures introducing new products and services, catering to evolving consumer preferences. Convenience stores play a vital role in Japanese daily life, providing essential services such as food, household items, and bill payments around the clock. The high frequency of visits to these establishments underscores their significance, with proximity to convenience stores influencing housing decisions for many residents.
According to a recent survey conducted by LINE RESEARCH among Japanese people aged 10 to 60 years old, half of the respondents said that the number one convenience store they like most is “7-Eleven”, accounting for 48.7%, followed by “FamilyMart,” accounting for 20.2% , “Lawson” ranked third, accounting for 18.9. As of the end of March 2024, 7-Eleven is also the convenience store with the most significant number of stores, with 21,544 stores in Japan. The second place is FamilyMart, with 16,263 stores across Japan; the third place is Lawson, with 14,643 stores.
Judging from the number of stores in each region, 7-Eleven, which ranks first in the country, also ranks first in each area. FamilyMart and Lawson are evenly matched. FamilyMart ranks second in the Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, and Kinki regions. Lawson ranks second in China’s western region, with exceptionally high proportions in China and Shikoku. The most special thing is that in Hokkaido, “Seicomart” stores accounted for 27.1%, ranking second. Seicomart’s first store opened in Sapporo, with over 1,000 stores in Hokkaido alone.
Japanese convenience stores are famous for their clean environment, bright space, and 24-hour operation. 7-Eleven ranks first in terms of popularity, number of stores in Japan, and number of regional stores. What conditions affect the ranking in the minds of consumers? According to statistics from Japan Market Research Agency Co., Ltd., 45% of people go to convenience stores to “buy food.” The deliciousness of the food sold by convenience stores is one of the keys consumers attach great importance to. According to feedback from respondents, 7-Eleven is favored by consumers for its “delicious side dishes and lunch boxes,” “a wide variety of side dishes and lunch boxes,” “a wide variety of products,” and “the coffee tastes good,” which means “Diverse cuisine” is the main reason why 7-Eleven is widely loved by consumers.
According to statistics from the Japanese market research agency, 79% of the respondents said they “go to a convenience store at least once a week,” and more than half will choose the convenience store closest to their home. Therefore, the distance between a house and a convenience store has become a consideration for many renters or home buyers. Japanese real estate agency experts said that when many customers see a house on site, they are most concerned about the distance between their home and a convenience store. If a convenience store is right between the house and the station, it is usually the most popular among renters. For investors, the density and distance of convenience stores around the house are essential to choosing a home.
The number of tourists in Japan continues to soar. People worldwide travel to Japan, and convenience stores have become must-visit stores for many tourists. Many Internet celebrities and Youtubers use the “Must-Buy Foods at Japanese Convenience Stores” theme to introduce the food, snacks, and drinks exclusively launched by various Japanese convenience stores, often setting off a rush to buy. During your trip to Japan, plan one of your meals here, enjoy convenience store lunch boxes and fragrant coffee, deeply experience Japanese food culture, and taste local daily delicacies.
