1969 |
• My Shop, Japan's first convenience store, makes its debut.
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Photo taken to commemorate the opening of Seven-Eleven's first store in Japan. At the store's entrance.
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O-nigiri rice balls sold in convenience stores. The plastic wrapping is designed so that it can be removed easily.
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Take-out meals (bento) have always been among the top items sold at convenience stores. The chains go to considerable lengths to develop distinctive bento.
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O-den (simmered food) at a Seven-Eleven store. O-den is now widely available at convenience stores.
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This sign quickly gives you an idea of the wide range of services offered, including the handling of utility bill payments.
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Bread and bread-based products are among the top 10 best-selling items.
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1974 |
• The first Seven-Eleven store opens, in Koto Ward, Tokyo. |
1975 |
• Seven-Eleven outlet in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, becomes the first convenience store
• in Japan to remain open 24 hours a day.
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1978 |
• Stores begin twice-daily deliveries of packaged meals and ready-to-eat side dishes.
• More stores begin operating 24 hours a day.
• Stores begin selling rice balls wrapped in cellophane. |
1981 |
• Food processing and manufacturing companies begin working with convenience stores to develop new products. |
1982 |
• Seven-Eleven begins using the Point of Sales (POS) system.
• Stores begin acting as courier agents and offering photocopying services.
• Lawson begins selling o-den (simmered foods). |
1985 |
• Number of new convenience stores rises dramatically
(Seven-Eleven has 2,600 stores, Lawson has about 2,000). |
1987 |
• Black Monday stock market slump.
• Stores begin handling telephone and utility bill payments.
• By this time, many stores offer fax services, serve as agents for motor vehicle liability insurance, and handle payments for mail-order companies.
• Stores begin 3-times-a-day deliveries of packaged meals and ready-to-eat side dishes.
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1989 |
• Seven-Eleven Japan purchases Hawaiian operations of the Southland Corporation of the U.S. |
1990 |
• Japan's "bubble" economy begins to collapse. |
1991 |
• Outbreak of Gulf War.
• Seven-Eleven Japan purchases a majority interest in Southland Corporation and acquires management rights in the company. |
1992 |
• More than 20,000 convenience stores in Japan. |
1995 |
• The Great Hanshin/Awaji Earthquake occurs. |
1996 |
• Convenience stores begin selling video games.
• More than 30,000 convenience stores in Japan. |
1999 |
• E-net, a partnership offering automated teller machine (ATM) services, is established. The major participants are: FamilyMart, Circle K, SUNKUS, Three F, and MINISTOP. This leads to the installation of ATMs in many stores.
• Seven-Eleven begins joint development of basic cosmetics with DHC, a skincare product company. |
2000 |
• Stores begin e-commerce services and door-to-door delivery of goods purchased online.
• They also begin delivery of prepared meals. |
2001 |
• Seven-Eleven begins installing ATMs in its stores.
• FamilyMart announces its intention to open 3,000 stores in China. |
