How to win the "after corona"? Lawson-Sadanobu Takemasu President April 30 17:38

A new coronavirus that threatens the world. Japan's business world, regardless of industry or position, is facing a major crisis that cannot be described as an emergency. On the other hand, online work methods and people interaction are beginning to create a new era. How are the business world trying to overcome this crisis? And ask the top of each company how to confront the new era. The first time is Sadanobu Takemasu, president of convenience store major Lawson. What is the ideal way of a convenience store in the new era, which a 50-year-old manager who turned from a trading company man to a convenience store top views? (Interviewer: Kei Nakazawa, Reporter, Ministry of Economic Affairs)

The current situation of convenience stores during emergencies

As a general rule, convenience stores continue to operate as usual even after the emergency declaration has been expanded nationwide. Positioning as social infrastructure is increasing more and more.

However, due to factors such as refraining from going out and working from home, the number of customers in stores such as office districts decreased significantly, and sales in March were 5.8% lower than the same month last year for the entire industry. This is the biggest drop in nine years and five months.

In April, there will be a greater impact. I asked what the current situation is.

LAWSON President Takemasu
"Sales in April are down by 20% to 30% on average, although there are differences depending on the location. It is the current situation that we are doing it in a very difficult way to continue business, such as a drop from 80% to 80%
. At that time, there was a long-standing situation in which there were only open convenience stores, and I had to buy everything from convenience stores to what I was doing now. `` The daily bulk purchase is at the supermarket, and the customers use small shopping at convenience stores, which is different from the past.

President Takemasu
“Consumption is also changing. When shopping at convenience stores, when you go out,“ Ah, I want water! However, in the situation of going out and refraining from going out, such customers are few and come to buy everyday items for a purpose. Necessary for daily eating habits such as milk, natto, tofu, eggs, and bread. There is a growing tendency to quickly buy big things at a nearby Lawson. ''

Major convenience stores such as Lawson are operated by a "franchise" system in which individuals and companies such as local store owners and owners (chain member stores) operate the stores. Supporting such owners is an important pillar of convenience store management, says President Takemasu.

President Takemasu
"(Among the customers) there are many people who live in the city center, elderly people, and people who can not go to the supermarket. For those people, it is necessary to open a store firmly and protect the life The experience of having been able to support the town after experiencing various earthquakes has become the DNA of convenience store owners, and until the end of the new coronavirus, the headquarters together support each store and support the town. Convenience stores must avoid the loss of business continuity. There are various menus to support the national government, so while using them firmly I would like to check if there is a need and consider quantitative support and human support as well. ''

To continue business

A convenience store is an environment where it is easy to be in a so-called "three dense" state of "closed, dense, close". Lawson is taking the following measures to continue business.

▽ Open the entrance door regularly
▽ Set up a transparent curtain at the cashier counter to prevent splash infection ▽ Place a
mark on the floor so that customers waiting for cashiers will line up at intervals
▽ Posting and urging customers to visit the shop during relatively free hours
▽ In principle, use of the toilet and trash can be suspended except for emergencies

In addition, the “self-checkout” was introduced to deal with a serious labor shortage countermeasure. Last year, Lawson introduced it at all 14,500 stores nationwide, but in the case of this outbreak, it has the effect of avoiding contact between employees and customers, and large-scale capital investment has lived in this situation.

In order to continue sales as a social infrastructure, it is also important to have “essential workers” who are engaged in the work essential to citizens' lives, such as store employees and those who are in charge of logistics, to work with peace of mind. But the current situation is that there is always a shortage of disinfectants and masks for employees.

President Takemasu
"There is a shortage of masks and disinfectants all over the country, and of course, it is most important for medical personnel. I would like to increase the supply as a headquarters, but I think that the support of the country etc. will encourage the employees of the store.If the employees can work with peace of mind, customers can come to the store with peace of mind. I want to overcome the new coronavirus by improving the environment. ''

What the crisis points to

Lawson continues to operate at the last minute, with sales falling sharply. What did the spread of the new coronavirus infection hit at convenience stores?

President Takemasu
"I think that it is the same for all industries and jobs, but both real and online companies have jobs and companies that are based on the activities of people. Being restricted is just like restricting business for Lawson. I feel that convenience stores are more needed than they are if they are free. ”

President Takemasu
"The number of convenience stores in Showa and Heisei has grown by spreading homogenized stores throughout the country. In the Reiwa era," This store is an unattended and speedy shop "," This store is There should be various stores such as “stores that only have bento specialized in the area.” Individual stores, how to make various flowers bloom will depend on the next growth.
” I am grateful to the people who are working to support my life now, and this gratitude will also help me to build order and endure it, and beyond that, deep bonds will improve the society further. ”

To live in a new era

The environment where people work and do business has changed dramatically due to the "corona shock." I asked them what to think and what to do in order to live in the new era.

President Takemasu
"I think it is a good opportunity to re-examine my own philosophy, what I want to do, and how I can contribute to society. If you work for a company, if you go back to the corporate philosophy, I think we can see what we need to do. "
" In practice, we start to see unnecessary work, such as telework. We immediately scrape off what we thought wasted. It is necessary to work based on what you think is important.After Corona is over, it will be a very challenging world.It is important to be muscular so that you can fight firmly. I also want to do that.

President Takemasu says he is already warming up three or four new ideas in anticipation of the end of the new coronavirus. I would like to pay attention to how convenience stores will overcome this crisis and achieve growth.

Kei Nakazawa, Reporter, Ministry of Economics
Joined in 2011
After working at Fukushima station and Fukuoka station,
currently in charge of distribution and food industry