Can the notion that it is natural for convenience stores to be open around the clock be changed?
In changing the conventional practice, it is essential to have a perspective of striking a balance between maintaining the convenience of customers and improving the labor environment.
Seven-Eleven Japan Co., the nation's largest convenience store operator, will introduce operating hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on a trial basis in and after mid-March. The trial operation will be conducted at 10 stores directly operated by the company in Tokyo, Aichi and other prefectures and at some of the franchise stores that account for 98 percent of all 7-Eleven locations.
The company will analyze results such as impacts on sales and numbers of visitors and is expected to study whether to increase the number of stores that will introduce shorter business hours.
It can be said that the trial operation raises questions about a business model that is premised on 24/7 operations. It is hoped that countermeasures will be taken flexibly depending on the specific circumstances of communities where stores are located and the situation of each store.
The trial operation was triggered by the proprietor of a franchise in Osaka Prefecture. He shortened the length of daily operation to 19 hours, arguing it is difficult to ensure staff for late-night operations. This antagonized the franchise headquarters, which denounced his act as contract violation.
Even if the franchise contract calls for round-the-clock operations, it is difficult for franchisees to resolve their manpower shortage right away. The current practice is far from sustainable.
In the meantime, there could be many franchise operators who are cautious about income drops caused by shorter business hours. Lawson, Inc. adopted shorter business hours on a trial basis in the past, but its sales are said to have declined, including those recorded during daytime. It is desirable to manage franchise stores by taking into account the intention of the franchisees.
Prioritize franchisees' views
It has been pointed out that franchise owners throughout the country are forced to overwork themselves to continue late-night operations.
The franchise headquarters are called on to listen to the voices of franchisees and tenaciously address the task of improving store management.
Manpower-saving efforts, such as the introduction of a self-checkout system, should be accelerated.
Seven-Eleven Japan has continued 24-hour operations for more than 40 years. Production of bento boxed meals and prepared foods as well as logistics are based on the premise of round-the-clock operations.
Logistical efficiency is high because merchandise is transported intensively during late-night hours when the number of customers is small. FamilyMart Co. and Lawson followed suit with 24-hour operations because it was supported by consumers, and thus the practice took root.
The number of convenience stores totals about 56,000, with the number of visitors topping 17 billion a year. Convenience stores are social infrastructure, serving as important bases for helping people return home and supplying goods in times of disaster. There are many cases in which women followed by suspicious persons late at night have sought protection in convenience stores.
Convenience stores have become indispensable to the daily lives of the people. If shorter business hours prevail, it will have impacts on related firms and residents in communities where convenience stores are located.
Society as a whole is called on to exercise wisdom to work out measures to help convenience stores maintain their infrastructure functions.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 9, 2019)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
