Developed countries with ageing populations increasingly face labour shortage issues in staffing convenience stores. We take a look at creative strategies in 2022 by Japan’s leading convenience chains to deal with the manpower shortages, while at the same time creating a more unique shopper experience in the store. Technology as a manpower multiplier Amidst a shrinking labour pool, Japan in...

Seven and I Holdings, which operates 7-Eleven, is selling its department store chain Sogo & Seibu to US fund Fortress for US$1.4 bn. Struggling department stores Sogo & Seibu was acquired by Seven & I in 2006. Since 2007, the department store's network has fallen from 28 to 10. Although the department stores' revenue has surged, as sales of fashion and luxury brands rebounded. However, the ...

The current cost-crisis, along with labour challenges, is leading to a new wave of automation at store level. We look at three recent innovations from Japan, Poland and the US. Replenishment: tackling Japan’s labour challenge In Japan, leading convenience store chain, FamilyMart, is partnering with Telexistence to install its AI robot, TX SCARA, in 300 stores. This has been developed ...