Indonesia's Alfamart operator to open 1,000 Lawson stores in 2023

Country's growing middle class is becoming growth driver for convenience sector

20221205 Oden at Lawson in Indonesia (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)

Japanese-style oden has proved a hit at Lawson outlets in Indonesia run by Sumber Alfaria Trijaya. The operator of Alfamart convenience stores plans to add up to 1,000 branches of the Japanese chain next year. (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)

NANA SHIBATA and BOBBY NUGROHO, Nikkei staff writers

December 14, 2022 12:00 JST

Updated on December 14, 2022 18:55 JST

JAKARTA -- Sumber Alfaria Trijaya, the operator of Alfamart convenience stores in Indonesia, plans to add 1,000 branches of Japan's Lawson chain in Southeast Asia's largest economy next year alone, the founder of the retail company told Nikkei Asia.

Sumber Alfaria Trijaya opened its first Lawson store in Indonesia in 2011 by cooperating with Mitsubishi Corp., the chain's operator in Japan. As of November, there are about 140 stores in Indonesia, up 50% from August. But Djoko Susanto thinks growth is just starting.