Japan's FamilyMart to roll out cleaning robots at 300 convenience stores

New machines also carry products for sale as country's workforce shrinks

20240209N familymart cleaning robot

The robots will display products and ads in addition to cleaning floors. (Photo by Fumika Nakashima)

FUMIKA NAKASHIMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's FamilyMart has begun using robots to clean floors as the nation's second-largest convenience store chain faces a labor shortage.

The robots will be rolled out at 300 directly run stores nationwide by the end of February. The move is a first for major convenience stores in Japan, according to the company.

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