"Small unmanned store" of only 1 tsubo New strategy of "Poplar" convenience store Close to limited "regular customers" [from Hiroshima]

FNN Prime Online

"Poplar" is challenging a new strategy in the convenience store industry where fierce competition continues. We approached the thoughts of a small unmanned store. [Image] "Poplar" is a convenience store that has 29 stores in Hiroshima Prefecture, with products that are "reachable for itchy places" in a space of 1 tsubo. In 2022, we will embark on a “new measure” to get close to customers while advocating a policy to reorganize unprofitable street stores and focus on stores within the facility. Yuuki Nogawa Caster: This store is located inside the Poplar headquarters in Asakita Ward, Hiroshima City. As you can see, it's very compact. Drinks are also abundantly lined up. We have a wide range of stationery items, which is very useful for business people. It is a system that can create a sales floor from only 1 tsubo with only a cash register and product shelves, and the target is an office or factory of a scale that is difficult to open in a normal convenience store. The aim is to respond to needs such as "I don't have a convenience store nearby" and "I only have vending machines". Mr. Takashi Oya, Poplar Sales Promotion Department: Only the electricity bill is borne by the installation site, and other store opening costs are borne by our company.

Increase poplar fans with "small unmanned stores"

In the convenience store industry, where competition is intensifying, we are continuing to make various structural reforms, such as signing a joint business agreement with major Lawson. Accelerating the opening of "small unmanned stores", which is a big challenge to keep labor costs down. Mr. Takashi Oya, Poplar Sales Promotion Department: We feel that unmanned convenience stores have a very high function as social infrastructure, so in the medium to long term, we are thinking of them as a gateway to increasing the number of poplar fans. and three other locations in Hiroshima City, clearing the logistics issues. Basically, we plan to open stores within a radius of 10 km from one base, starting with a directly managed store in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, and expecting to open 30 stores by the summer of 2022. We will set up a new warehouse store called , and accelerate the opening of 30 more stores.