3. Linking online and offline together

As online retailing grows in popularity, convenience retailers in Asia are looking to develop multichannel operations. This includes customers being able to access various online services in stores. For example, FamilyMart’s multimedia terminal Famiport (pictured) allows shoppers to buy tickets and general merchandise products, make payments, access financial services, buy lottery tickets and make charity donations. 

Convenience stores are also providing click and collect solutions. By the second half of 2015, 7-Eleven Japan expects all of its group’s online products to be available for collection at any convenience store. Through this strategy it hopes to provide a more seamless experience, make a much broader range of products available through its store, increase customer numbers and win new shoppers.  

This is particularly relevant in Japan’s rural areas where there is a growing elderly population, so retailers are increasingly offering delivery services with a focus on providing meal solutions.