July 10, 2009

FamilyMart opens 15,000th store in Pan-Pacific network

We are proud to announce that the total of stores operated by FamilyMart in Japan and overseas has now passed 15,000. On July 10, 2009, the total stood at 15,002 stores, of which 7,512 are in Japan, 2,366 in Taiwan, 4,348 in South Korea, 542 in Thailand, 14 in the USA and 220 in China.

FamilyMart's overseas store network development began in Taiwan in 1988

FamilyMart is a convenience store chain operator that originated in Japan. In August 1988 we established Taiwan FamilyMart Co., Ltd. as our area franchiser in Taiwan, and our first store there was opened in December of that year. Subsequently, FamilyMart signed contracts with companies in South Korea, Thailand, China, and the United States to expand its overseas operations. Including stores in Japan, we now have a total of 15,000 stores.

Adapting our "born in Japan" know-how to local conditions

Certain aspects of FamilyMart's store management are common to all our stores, both in Japan and overseas. These include our firm insistence on the principles of service, quality, and cleanliness (SQ&C), and on ensuring that our services are offered in the spirit of hospitality. In other cases, we adapt ourselves to local conditions, such as in the selection of ready-to-eat food product lineups. Thus, the core of our store operation expertise is the fruit of our many years of experience in Japan, and we supplement this with our unique know-how in overseas operations. This approach has won FamilyMart considerable popularity among consumers in the countries where we operate, and has enabled us to open new stores every year.

FamilyMart's international store chain exhibits strong synergy

FamilyMart operates stores overseas through joint ventures established with local businesses. Going beyond mere licensing arrangements, strong bonds are forged with each venture, promoting the development of the entire chain in each region, including Japan, and maximizing synergies. Working with area franchisers in Japan and overseas, we will develop joint marketing activities in parallel in different parts of the Pan-Pacific region, and establish a global quality management system to ensure product safety and reliability, also including joint procurement. In this way, we are creating a Pan-Pacific chain that draws on FamilyMart's strengths.

Summer promotion to commemorate the opening of the 15,000th store

To commemorate the opening of the 15,000th store, we launched a summer promotion ("Summer festival of gratitude") in Japan on Tuesday, July 14. The event includes:

(1) An Asia fair, with a total of 13 Asia-themed boxed lunch, dessert and beverage products;
(2) Discount campaigns on rice balls, cold noodles (except cold pasta and cold spaghetti dishes) and Asian fair products with certain beverage products bought as a set.

Under our slogan "FamilyMart, Where You Are One of the Family," we aim to ensure that our customers enjoy every minute they spend in our stores, by offering them convenience, friendliness and fun. This is what our "FamilyMart Feel" campaign is all about. Having opened our 15,000th store, we will draw on over 20 years of expertise in creating a "global standard" and aim to build a network of 20,000 stores in years ahead.