Lawson, KDDI to fuse physical and digital to challenge 7-Eleven

Partners to expand overseas business and provide unique tech-based services

20240206N Lawson 7 Eleven

Lawson ranks behind 7-Eleven and FamilyMart in Japan's convenience store market, in both store numbers and daily sales. (Source photos by Mako Ochiai and Yoshihiro Hara)

YOSHIHIRO HARA and RYO SATO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- In joining the KDDI telecommunications group, Japan's Lawson convenience store chain hopes to bolster both its online services and its brick-and-mortar stores to create a foundation for overseas expansion, setting its sights on market leader Seven-Eleven Japan.

KDDI announced Tuesday that it plans to launch a tender offer for Lawson, which is 50%-owned by trading house Mitsubishi Corp, taking it private.

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