Lawson convenience stores gain foothold in China tech hub Shenzhen

Acquisition adds to network of biggest Japanese minimart operator in the country

Lawson has the largest Chinese network among Japanese convenience store chains with 4,192 locations as of October.

YUKINORI HANADA, Nikkei staff writer

January 5, 2022 03:21 JST

TOKYO -- Convenience store chain Lawson has acquired a smaller peer in Shenzhen for 310 million yuan ($48.8 million), the Japanese company said Tuesday, gaining access to shoppers in a city known as China's Silicon Valley.

A local Lawson subsidiary bought the Tianhong Weiwo store chain from retail group Rainbow Digital Commercial on Dec. 29, marking the Japanese company's entry into the southeastern coastal province of Guangdong.