Lawson plans new convenience store with services for seniors

Lawson Inc. will open a new type of convenience store in 2015 that will cater to elderly people by having specialized staff on hand who can help them choose day-care facilities and nursing services, a company official said Monday.

Lawson plans to open 30 of the new stores mostly in metropolitan areas, including Osaka and Nagoya, by the end of the fiscal 2017 ending March 2018. The stores will have specialist care managers on duty during daytime hours.

The company aims to capitalize on the rapid aging of Japan’s population as more baby boomers are beginning to require care.

The first store will open around February 2015 in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture. It will be run by welfare service provider Wisnet Co. as a franchise member. The store will be roomier than the average Lawson and include a lounge area.

Lawson is also looking to tie-up with other businesses to open subsequent stores and is in talks with fitness club operator Renaissance Inc. to create shops with exercise spaces.